Nobody's Hero

Burned Lands #1

by Bec McMaster

First rule of surviving the Wastelands: don't be caught out after the sun sets...

After her father was killed in a warg attack, Riley Kincaid was forced to stand on her own two feet in the brutal Wastelands she calls home. She knows how to survive, but when a lapse in judgment leaves her out after dark, Riley realizes she's in trouble. The sun has set, the monsters are out to play, and there's a band of reivers heading straight for her settlement. Riley needs to warn her people, but that's before she runs a handsome stranger down in her jeep. A stranger who might not be a man after all...

Kidnapping her was the worst mistake he ever made.

Dangerous outlaw, Lucius Wade, lives only for revenge. But when he kidnaps Riley in order to lure an old friend into a trap, suddenly the tables are turned. Riley has no intentions of being bait, and she tempts him in ways he hasn't felt for a long time. He's never played the hero, but suddenly a part of him wants to. Even as he knows there's no point.
When dangerous secrets are revealed, and Luc realizes an old enemy is on his trail, he's forced to change his plans. The hunter is suddenly the hunted, and the only allies he has... is a stubborn blonde who thinks there should be more to live for than revenge, and the ex-friend who shoved a knife in his back ten years ago.

Genres: Romance, Paranormal, Dystopia, Paranormal Romance, Fantasy, Post Apocalyptic, Urban Fantasy

370 pages, ebook

First published May 22, 2016

About the author

Kidnapped by a dread pirate when she was a child, USA Today Bestselling Author Bec McMaster was raised on myth and legend, and offered her younger siblings to the goblin king many a time. Unfortunately, he did not accept.

Now she writes epic fantasy romance with a dark and sexy twist, which is almost as much fun. She has a secret weakness for villainous heroes, wicked fae princes and dangerous vampires, though in all her daydreams, she’s the one rescuing them.

Bec lives happily-ever-after with her very own hero and princess-in-training in the wilds of Australia, where she can often be found drinking tea or plotting her next travel adventure.

Escape the ordinary at www.becmcmaster.com

Join Bec's mailing list at http://eepurl.com/F_LkD for all the latest news on releases, exclusive excerpts, cover reveals, and epilogues.

Newest Release: CROWN OF DARKNESS (Available now)

Next release: MASTER OF STORMS (Legends of the Storm #5--coming January, 2021)

Where to start?

If you want deliciously dark fae princes, then try Dark Court Rising or Court of Dreams.

For sexy dragon shifters, see Legends of the Storm.

Sorcery and magic?
Try the Dark Arts series.

Kick-bustle ladies-saving-the-day steampunk romance?
Then check out London Steampunk and the London Steampunk: The Blue Blood Conspiracy series.

For rocket-fuelled post-apocalyptic romance with a twist on the werewolf theme, then read the Burned Lands.

Reviews

[Rain · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was a little surprised, at how much I enjoyed this story. It started off somewhat typical of a dystopian world. Badass woman kidnapped by sexy bad guy.

Once the story took hold, Luc and Riley were actually quite well-developed characters. If you like post apocalyptic romances with a strong FMC, shifters, and scary bad guys, this is a fun story!

“If I’m brave enough to face my fears, why can’t you?”

In 2083, a meteor crashed to earth destroying thousands.

Years passed, the skies cleared, and settlers began to venture back into the world. Communities began to form, and traders travelled from bunker to bunker. There was a rumor of precious minerals being found near the site where the meteor hit.

But something else was also lurking in the shadows, a pathogen that changed those that came into contact with it.

Big thanks to Lana for the recommendation!

[Denisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was so damn good!!


Dystopias are either really good or pretty bad, there's usually no middle ground with these. Yay me when I find an amazing one!


I found everything I could ever want in a book like this. It had an incredible world builder, awesome, engaging, fun plot, a great romance and wonderful characters. And to top it all off, it was really well written! What more can you want?!


If you like dystopias, try this one, you'll love it! And if you don't, this one is still worth it, maybe you'll change your mind. Or just try it to prove me wrong, it's still worth it!

[❤️Emma Book Lover ❤️ · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 Stars

WOW!! I so loved this book!
We are immersed into a post apocalyptic world after a meteorite hits Earth. This is like a mix of Mad Max and Fear the Walking Dead a tiny bit maybe? 😬
It is brilliant written ,the words simply draws you in along with the characters.
Riley is scavenging for food for the people in her settlement when is "kidnapped" by Luc Wade , this being the start of their adventure in the Wastelands.

Wastelands


This is so different from other books I have read because of the different creatures and humans roaming the world.It has wargs, revenants, bounty hunters and many more.
Its a book full of adventure, action, tension, romance , passion, emotions and I couldn't get enough of it.
Luc Wade is a lonely man who lost everything , he is full of revenge and anger and his mind can't comprehend that his kind can have a happily ever after, this until he gets his hands on Riley(Thank God for that). Discovering he has humanity left inside of him ,we get to see more sides of his former self: he is strong, loyal, sexy, charming, the type of H who actually listen to the heroine and is not all "man know best bullshit".I loved him. I loved the strength and the control he had over his emotions and "second personality".


Riley was the perfect heroine. Grumpy, fearless, protective,stubborn, brave, passionate and kind.She fought with everything she had to get what she wanted and I admired her tremendously.

The passion and the love between these two was explosive and I found myself getting hot reading about them together.


Luc stepped forward and cupped her jaw with both hands. “Riley, you are the devil” he whispered. “And I would sell you my soul gladly, if you didn’t already own it.” His face lowered, lips brushing against her own."

I will read the rest of these series , since the next books have characters introduced here.

[WhiskeyintheJar · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this for the Fairy Tale Retelling square for Romance Bingo.

If you want an updated Beauty and the Beast with a kick-butt heroine, then you would enjoy this one. I ran into the problem of, again, not being the biggest fan of some urban fantasy tropes. The hero kidnaps the heroine and they are immediately inexplicably drawn to each other. It was more sexual here and it sort of does show how they grow more emotionally together later on but I was still missing a deeper connection.

This story did a better job of bringing me into its world but I still can't help feeling too much is thrown at the reader. This world is set in the future, 2100ish, where it appears a government center was experimenting with splicing human and animal DNA had a breakout and a meteor struck the earth, which killed some of the environment and released a deadly disease. We have humans, wargs, revenants, and reivers. Along with introductions to explanations to why the world and these groups are the way they are, we are introduced to a our main couple, villains, and characters you know will be featured in future books; it's a lot to take in. The page count in these romance fantasy crossovers has got to get larger to make satisfactory room for everything.

Besides, she needed someone to argue with. Someone who challenged her to stand at his side, not just step in front of her to protect her. Someone who pushed her to be the woman she knew she could be, not just the type of woman he wanted.

If you've been looking for a self-sufficient, level-headed, and action star in her own right heroine, look no further. Riley was my favorite part of this story and I could read about her all day. The hero is a warg, human who turns into a beast, and had some trouble breaking out of the stoic, hard bitten, and wall-off hero. I can't say I ever completely believed in their romance due to insta-lust, world building interrupting, and a sort of other woman problem. Hero was married but had to leave his wife, he really loved her and thinks she is still alive. It made the situation with Riley very awkward for me, even though he hadn't seen his wife in years.

The characters and world building were interesting but the flow and intricacies of connecting threads didn't quite blend all the time. I'm going to plan on reading the next in the series because I'm interested in the characters, I hope the author gets more comfortable in the world she has created and things flow more natural and gain depth.

[Roobie · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐4 stars⭐

She needed someone to argue with. Someone who challenged her to stand at his side, not just step in front of her to protect her. Someone who pushed her to be the woman she knew she could be, not just the type of woman he wanted.

[RLbooks (in and out) · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of my goals for this year is to read more post-apocalyptic/dystopian than I did last year so I scoured two of my friends’ lists that I know are good for these recs - Rain and Catheryn - and came up with this action-packed and dramatic read. The characters are layered, the romance moves fast but is just as emotionally stirring as it is hot, and the world building is an intense backdrop. The plot’s pretty fascinating too with deep conflicts, true villains, and a surprise.

Written in third person, multi-POV (there was at least one POV from a villain, maybe someone else). No ow drama, a whiff of om drama from the leader of a different settlement who the H is pursuing and who was interested in h, though the interest wasn’t returned. Both are experienced (H had been celibate for years following the end of his prior relationship once he was turned into a shifter and h had some limited experience but not much detail given).

Some tropes/themes:
☆ Competent and resourceful FMC
☆ Complicated MMC
☆ Shifters, zombies, and bad humans
☆ Violence
☆ Distrust
☆ Single-minded MMC…at first…
☆ Growth and hopefulness returning

I loved Riley (h), she’s definitely a badass who’s also sporting a big heart and some decided opinions on what she felt was right. Luc (H) was definitely questionable at first, he kidnaps Riley to hold her as bait to bring out the man he’s hunting. But he quickly shows that he’s more than the dangerous aura he’s pumping out. He’s just got no hope left in him at the start of the book, but that starts growing as he and Riley go through some challenges together, working as a unit. Not to say that it’s easy sailing after that because some wrenches get tossed in the works, some backsliding and wrong prioritization occur too. However, if your initial reaction is to hate Luc, give him some time.

I did think their physical relationship starts a little fast, though Riley also processes her feelings about that too in a way that made sense to me. I hated that after the first time, both were feeling less than stellar though. Then a whole lot less awesome, though Riley’s attitude after a couple surprises was brilliant (once the emotional fallout stopped wrenching my heart). I do like the way the author writes steamy scenes and that there was a certain physicality shown during them that fit these characters. The emotional connection does come more to the forefront as the story progresses and given their experiences and shared dangers, it even worked for me how quickly love gets tossed around.

I was not prepared for one of the surprises but I did like it. I didn’t like some of the ways that Luc’s adversarial role evolved and how his foil (the man who he was hunting) also acted in certain ways. The undercurrents and history that gets exposed between them was intriguing enough. I felt like the blurb gave more of the sense of them being allies though and that likely happens in the rest of the series, but not this book. There’s too much drama to wade through between them and the chip on Luc’s shoulder.

My heart was absolutely in my throat a couple of times at some of the risks that Riley and Luc had to take. Loved their mutual protectiveness of each other and a couple of HUGE shows of trust that had to happen. There are some truly tender moments between the mains in addition to showdowns with entities attempting to kill them. I also loved the climax of the book, even though I had a couple of questions about what happened still afterwards.

The ending is a setup for the continuation of the series, but a HEA for Riley and Luc. I wanted more of this HEA between them because there’s a situation that I needed more page time for, I guess that’s how I want to phrase that without spoilers. I also had questions about how their little unit was going to stay completely safe where they land because Luc and Riley were both warriors, but even two badasses could be overwhelmed. Anyway, I do think I’ll continue the series, despite my frustrations at times with the MMC for book 2 in this book. My heart did hurt for him just as often as I wanted to shake him. I actually really loved his sister and her dedication and she’s the FMC of book 3.

[Celestine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exquisite romance in a future wasteland.

With Nobody's Hero, Bec McMaster hit my action-adventure romance sweet spot. There was a strong, confident heroine; a gruff and grumpy bad boy who changes his ways for his woman; fights and chases and dynamite; a cute kid in peril; and an epic love story. I'm gonna gush a little, because I loved the characters and the flow and the post-apocalyptic world she created. I'm hungry for more of it, and expect those hazy world-building details will unfold in subsequent novels. After all, it spoils the story if we know all of it right away, and the unspooling plot is something I've absorbed from Ms. McMaster's steampunk novels.

Riley Kincaid (hmmmm...is she the descendant of McMaster's London Steampunk Kincaid?), is a valuable member of her community in a post-apocalyptic wasteland. First there was the meteor tearing into the countryside, then experiments got loose from a research facility, and then a virus from the meteor regenerates dead people. So instead of Blue Bloods, Vampires and Mechs from McMaster's steampunk world, we get Reivers and Wargs and Zombies who harass the hardworking populace in the distant future.

The author does an excellent job of teasing out the characters and the canon at the beginning. I NEEDED to know more. Lucius Wade kidnaps Riley for revenge against an old enemy, but he quickly discovers he has an "odd mix of admiration and frustration" for her.

"The woman was hellish tough, yet strangely vulnerable. A damned tempting combination."

McMaster's ability to write heroines like this is one reason I keep coming back to her books. I find this type of character even more compelling in a future dystopic setting. Riley has a sardonic sense of humor that cuts through the desperation of daily living, plus she can shoot and kick and track and fight, but she also hopes for a family and a content future. With the right man. Unfortunately, kidnapping isn't a great start to building trust, and Wade is nobody's hero. Or is he?

Through their escapades, Riley and Wade begin to connect. The aching loneliness is palpable in McMaster's writing, and these scenes as Riley and Wade reach out to one another are exquisite.

"'It's been a long time since I touched a woman,' he murmured. His fingertips turned questing, as if he were soaking up the sensation of her skin, content just to feel her, to explore. 'A long time...since one let me.'" The scene that follows this is tender and desperate and deeply romantic and sensuous.

"His gaze burned her, all the way through. A need so fierce it stole her breath, left her heart thumping in her chest. And something else....Wariness. As if he was simply waiting for rejection."

Eventually it becomes clear that Riley holds Wade's heart in her hands, but even that may not be enough to overcome the adversity facing them. Paranormal and human forces are at work to shred what little happiness they manage to eke out of their barren world. This is a rousing and romantic adventure that rushes to the top of my "passion meets peril" favorites list. 5 stars.

[Jo · Rating 5 out of 5]

“You’re an interesting woman.” Leaning closer, he laughed in her ear. “I might just keep you around for a while.”

I loved this book!!

It’s the year 2147, and sixty four years ago life changed forever when a meteor hit earth. First there was the darkening, then the rise of the revenants who is basically zombies that eat human flesh. And those are not the only monsters. Wargs who were once completely human, now have to live with their beastly side. Humans are easily infected by the virus, and because there is no cure, they are executed immediately. And the Reivers, a group of vigilantes who prey on the human settlements, taking their food, weapons and their women.

Riley Kincaid knows all the dangers that lurk in the savage Wasteland where she lives. But she was taught from a very young age to look after herself, she knows how to survive. One day while she’s out hunting for food, she notices a group of reivers heading straight for her settlement. And before she has time to warn them, a dangerous stranger crosses her path, and kidnaps her in order to get the man he wants revenge on. But Riley is a fighter, and she won’t make it easy on the handsome Lucius, who might just be more than human.

Lucius Wade is an outlaw, who lost his entire family when he was betrayed by a friend and turned into a warg. Now he only lives for revenge and he has no problem kidnapping someone to lure out his enemy. But Riley is feisty and she arouses feelings in him he hasn’t felt in a very long time. But he knows he’s the monster, not the hero, no matter how much Riley makes him wish he was different.

When Lucius realises an old enemy he thought was dead is looking for him, he’s forced to decide what is more important: his revenge, or the courageous blonde who wants to save him. Together with Riley, and the friend who betrayed him has to kill his old enemy, before he loses the only two things he has left to live for.

“Riley, you are the devil,” he whispered. “And I would sell you my soul gladly, if you didn’t already own it.”

Riley is my kind of heroine, she’s spunky and kickass. Lucius is such a broken hero and so lonely, thinking that because he can turn into a monster that no one would love him and that he was too dangerous to be in a relationship. Until he met Riley, and he realised that with the right woman he could have the family he craves.

For the first time in years, he felt like a human again. A man who just might have a future. Riley was hope. She was everything. And if he lost her, it would kill him.

The romance was so wonderful, and I just loved these two together. The chemistry between them was scorching, and so hot. Watching Lucius realise that he is more than a monster, that he deserved the love of a strong woman who would fight for him, was fantastic!

The world-building was excellent, and I enjoyed every moment of this book. I always enjoy post apocalyptic stories if they are done well, and this one was just fabulous. The plot was captivating from the first page, and it didn’t let go until the very end.

Bec McMaster has become a favorite author of mine. I loved her steampunk series, and with this very different series she has shown just what a truly wonderful author she is. A definite must read for all romance fans. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

[Mei · Rating 5 out of 5]

Imagine a mix between Mad Max and Werewolf and you’ll get an idea of what this book is about!



And it works! Oh, how well it works!!!

This book is excellent! The writing and descriptions, the action, the dialogue, the passion and the feelings are all fantastic! I don’t have enough words to describe how much I’ve enjoyed reading it!

The heroine, Riley, is a great heroine! She tough, she’s opinionated, she’s smart and she knows what she wants. But she’s also vulnerable and gentle. But, most of all, she’s able to accept that her view of her world is not written in stone. She’s able to change her point of view and to act accordingly!

The hero, Wade, poor guy, had a very bad luck in life! He’s been infected and transformed into a warg by a friend that should have been looking at his back, he left his pregnant wife fearing his beast would kill her and his unborn child, he’s been wandering alone looking for revenge…
But, even with all his tough and ruthless guy act, he’s basically a good human being. He’s honorable and gentle, but acts all the opposite.

They got together when he kidnaps her to get to his former friend. He doesn’t want to have anything to do with her besides her usefulness as a bargaining chip, but she’s intriguing him and attracts him and he’s unable to resist her.

Between rescuing missions, running from revenants (poor zombie-like souls who got infected by alien bacteria when an asteroid fell), saving each other they succumb to mutual attraction.



But, it’s purely physical act. Just sex, though a scorching one!!!

Or is it only that?....

As they continue with their adventures, each one re-evaluates the other.

His feelings toward Riley change from contempt to incredulity, and hers for him from rejection to acceptance. This was really masterfully done!

More and more they transform from enemies to friends and, finally, to real lovers! Beautiful!!!



At the end Wade overcomes his need for revenge and accepts that his condition is not a negation to real love.

Riley also comes to understand that not all wrags are monsters, that monstrosity is not a product of nature, but a state of mind.

This is a beautiful love story with excellent world building, full of battles, adventures and tender moments!!!

“Want you so much. And I’m not letting go! No matter how far you run, no matter how fast….”

………………

Because she was telling him that this was real. That she had no intentions of leaving him, no matter what he did, no matter what happened. No matter how much of a monster he was. And he actually began to believe it. For the first time in years, he felt like a human again. A man who just might have a future. Riley was hope. She was everything.

………………

He flinched, breathing harshly through his nostrils. Nearly eight feet of monster. Riley’s hand firmed on his fur. “Your fur’s soft,” she whispered in surprise. He was quivering, but he’d made no move. Slowly, she lifted her hand and
stroked his arm, running her fingers through the thick silky pelt.
“You like that, don’t you?” she whispered, lifting her other hand and brushing the backs of her fingers down his chest. She didn’t dare believe she’d won. Wade quivered beneath her touch so violently she knew it was taking everything in him to control this.
I want blood. I want flesh.
If either of them let go, he’d hurt her, she knew it. Breathing deeply, she slid her hand into his, feeling the threatening pinprick of his claws as she slid her fingers between his. “Shush,” she murmured as he twitched. “I just want to hold your hand, like I did last time you were hurt.” She ran her other hand over his chest.
“I’ll hold it all night, Luc. You just have to stay with me. I’ll be your anchor. Just stay with me.”
Another shudder, fighting against his instincts.
“You can do it,” she breathed, pressing on his shoulder. “Let’s sit down. Let’s rest. Come, my love.”Slowly, he went to his knees, a soft growl curling through his throat. Riley’s hand began to shake as he pressed himself against her, burying his muzzle against her abdomen. She tensed, then slowly lowered her hand to the soft fur on his scalp.
If she didn’t think too much, it was almost hypnotic, the slow, steady stroke of her hand through that warm fur.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 - Different and enjoyable.

[Bubu · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'll be honest, Kyra's review mirrors exactly my thoughts. I don't have too much to add. Apart from pointing out what Kyra also found strange: that Wade thought his wife, whom he had loved, to be still alive, really made for an awkward position McMaster put Riley in.

Anyway. Solid writing, solid characters. It was entertaining. And I may have finally overcome my distaste for dystopian romances after the slight misunderstanding I had with Elle Kennedy's Claimed. It only took me about two years to give this sub genre another go.

As for the world building, I do believe that Bec McMaster must have been watching some TV shows and films.

We had a lot of this:
(Tom Hardy is seriously hot in this film. But he's super-hot anyway)

And some of this:
(Not really hot. The actor, that is)

And a little bit of this:
(Definitely not hot)


I may be making fun out of it, but Nobody's Hero is compelling enough, the characters for the next book interesting enough for me to continue. I'm looking forward to them.

[Somia · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Engaging Stars

Lucius (Luc) Wade is a lonely man, consumed by anger and the desire for vengeance. Deemed to be a monster he has no home or emotional bonds to calm the beast within. Riley is scavenging for food when she comes across Luc and finds herself being kidnapped. Luc is one of the monsters (a Warg) her people watch out for and kill, but the more time she spends with him the more she questions everything she has ever known.

The interactions between Luc and Riley kept me engaged and amused. Riley is one heroine who doesn't let fear immobilise her.

The story has a good pace to it, and I'm looking forward to exploring more of the world the author has created with this series.

An entertaining read, which I see myself picking up again.

[Ami · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bec McMaster took her pen writing about Wasteland, 131 years in the future. Wargs, raivers, and revenants have all crawled into the surface after meteor struck and the skies blackened. Riley Kincaid is forced to survive and defends her home, Haven. But then a monster-man, Lucius Wade, kidnaps her on his way to get his revenge, and Riley must learn a different kind of survival...

Well, after 6 months into 2016, I finally got my 5* book! McMaster has done it again. I have loved her works since a couple of years ago with London Steampunk series. This is the first time she wrote about dystopian world (her previous works all set in historical/steampunk society)I frickin' LOVED everything about it. EVERYTHING. I had no complaints.

I usually had problem if the author immediately jumps into actions, as I am a reader who kind of needs context or info-dump in the beginning, just to make me understand about the world-built. But I totally had no problems here. The story went fast, and I felt like time flies reading it. The only thing that was able to put it down was because I had to deal with my laptop being wonky with virus *sigh*

Bottom line: Riley kicks ass. Wade is to die for. The world-built is awesome. The villains are worthy. The plot twists engaging. And the sex is scorching hot.

The only downside is that I have to wait until 2017 for book #2. ARGH!

[ZARIA (Sheldon Cooper lover) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm always up for a good romance and I can't resist an apocalyptic, end-of-the-world-as-we-know-it story. With this book, I get both. It... took me on a great ride as a reader. I loved the interesting and unique characters all thrown together in a changing and crumbling world.

It is also far different than the other-post apocolypitcal love stories and series that have plagued us (pun intended) recently. Think of Mad Max world and when you throw zombies and werewolves into the mix you can't go wrong by me. I do hope there will be another book in this series.

[Just Josie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Think a world like Mad Max, but with all these extra wild creatures roaming in the dark.

Crazy original.
Strong and yet vulnerable characters.
Insanely imaginetive world-building.
Great dialogue.
A perfect mix between humor and strong emotions.
And add a delicious chemistry, and BOOM - 5 star from this happy reader. 💪

Dystopian “apocalyptic” stories has to be a new favorite. And this story is the exact reason why.

Glorious book.
I enjoyed every moment.

Read: 16/11/2020
1st rating: 5 stars
Genre/tropes: Dystopian/romance/action/suspense/enemies-to-lovers
Cover: 3 stars
POV’s: Multiple -3rd person (But mainly Riley & Luc)
Will I recommend: YES, big bloody yes. I am on my way to buy the second book, so yeah- I loved it.

[Glory · Rating 4 out of 5]

Итак, Бек Макмастер снова это сделала. Снова затащила меня в свой мир и не отпускала до последней страницы. Ей здорово удаются мрачные декорации и сильные герои, не сдающиеся под напором обстоятельств.

Эта история получилась достаточно простой. Здесь вы не найдете технических деталей, как в «Лондонском стимпанке», или подробностей магических ритуалов, как в «Темных искусствах». Это Пустошь. Мир после апокалипсиса.
Ну, как апокалипсиса…
Автор не вдается в подробности, не уделяет целые главы прошлому, но буквально в нескольких абзацах и ненароком брошенных фразах дает понять, как так вышло. Упавший метеорит. Исследовательский центр, где проводились различные правительственные эксперименты. И как результат – выжженные земли и различные твари на свободе. Цивилизация пала. И люди столкнулись с зомби, варгами (оборотнями), ревенантами, теневыми кошками…

Действие романа происходит несколько десятилетий спустя. Люк – варг. Монстр, как считает большинство. И долгие годы он живет в одиночестве, лелея мечты о мести тому, кто его таким сделал. Чтобы заманить неприятеля в ловушку, Люк похищает Райли. Но в итоге оказывается в ловушке сам.

Особых наворотов сюжета нет. Райли достаточно быстро влюбляется и встает на защиту ненавистного всеми варга. Люк еще какое-то время цепляется за свою месть и образ монстра, но в конце концов тоже сдается. Затем финальная битва с общим врагом и ХЭ. Стокгольмским синдромом и не пахнет - просто мир такой, обстоятельства такие, да и в отношениях между героями изначально нет никакого страха, скорее, Люк заботится о Райли.

Мне все это напомнило романы о Диком Западе. Сам мир располагает к подобным ассоциациям)) Неосвоенные земли, маленькие поселения, нуждающиеся в защите (и не только от ночных монстров, но и от банд грабителей). Даже охотники за головами имеются. Только вместо бравых ковбоев на лошадях – не менее бравые современные парни на джипах.
Злодей кого-нибудь похищает, говорит, мол, приходи один, будем стреляться на рассвете, герой несется вскачь и т.д. и т.п.

Ладно, это гибрид ЛР о Диком Западе и «Безумного Макса»))))

Но простота отнюдь не портит роман. Зато герои получились классные, сильные, стойкие, любящие. И атмосфера постапа на уровне. Откровенных сцен поменьше, чем в "Shadowbound", но я бы и еще подсократила (как минимум одна для меня была лишней).
В целом же – динамично, ярко, эмоционально, увлекательно.
Прочиталось запоем, еще хочу.
Жду теперь историю Маклейна – того самого лютого врага, которого Люк пытался заманить, похитив Райли))) Для него все закончилось неоднозначно, а персонаж со всех сторон интересный. Следующая книга о нем.

[Gwen (The Gwendolyn Reading Method) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok, she does the whole: he's a vicious he-man to her in the beginning but a gentle lamb with her by the end thing. Just seems like a bad way to pick a man. It's a trope I wish would die a death sooner rather than later in romance, but still remains the unfortunate standard. Otherwise, good characters (tho that's pretty typical for Bec McMaster)!

[Kira Simion · Rating 5 out of 5]

"“I have soap,” he said suggestively." (25%)
My favorite funny line in this story.

•Honestly, I loved the characters for their strength. While manyheroines become helpless/gloop whenever the hero comes, both of these characters were strong all throughout in their own ways.

•Riley was amazing hero in her own way (ironically). She had her weak moments (like when there was the pool scene and others), but that helped me see her as more human. I enjoyed how she worked with Wade. They were a team and I loved that. It wasn't about being better than each other. It was about being good together and facing those which tried to hurt that which they cared for.

•I loved the twists. Honestly, I guessed one, but another got me. Both were enjoyable and I hope to see more in the future.

•I adore when sub-characters are treated like main ones in a multitude of stories. This one did that like The Farm trilogy by: Emily McKay.

•The wargs were an interesting take on the usual mythical creatures & monsters I usually read. Hairy like a werewolf, claws like a dragon, teeth that could infect and eat flesh like zombies. WONDERFUL! The writing for them was so great that when the twists happened, I understood why that logically (as logic was in this fantasy-ish book) made sense. I love when things make sense.

•Honestly, (yes, I do say that a lot I suppose), I enjoyed the fear of being with Wade that Riley felt. It helped read about the development of their relationship. Their hesitation and resistance to see who each other were (like in the water scene which I know I call "the pool," but you'll understand it if you read it) another obstacle I was rooting them to overcome.

[Carolyn F.]

I was in a bad mood from the other book I just finished and then I get this smirking, smart aleck guy and this "not taking anything from anybody" girl. Ugh, give me a break. Well I did give myself a break, I put the book down. Could not finish.

[Juliette Cross · Rating 5 out of 5]

The fact that I couldn't stop reading till I was done kind of says it all. This is Mad Max in a paranormal world. The heroine Riley is badass as a "mere human." And the wounded, beastly hero Wade hit all my buttons. And then some.

Another series I'll be making my way through. McMaster is definitely on my top five list of favorite authors now.

Recommended to lovers of dark, bloody paranormal romance with swoony, snarky heroes.

[Sharon · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Home, sweet home,” he added. “Don’t be shy. I scrubbed the bloodstains off the floor.”

This book is about choices:
-If you turned into a monster, would you kill yourself to save your family? Go away? Stay with them and fight the monster in you?
-If a friend betrays you (for good reasons) and his decision leads you to losing everything you have ever cherished, would you get revenge? Or forgive and move on?
-If you get a second chance at life and love, would you let go of your dreams of vengeance that you have been harboring for 8 years? Or not?

This book is about the year 2147 where everything is about survival. The protagonist, Riley, gets kidnapped by Luc who is one of the monsters she has been fearing all her life. However, he’s not as monstrous as she first thought. I like that this book covers the grey areas. Even “monsters” can be good. The plot can be slow at times, but it’s actual quite emotional because you really see the shit that these humans-turned-monsters have to go through. This situation is similar to a zombie apocalypse. What do you do when a loved one becomes something so deadly and unrecognizable - Kill them or hold onto hope that their humanity is still there? I definitely feel bad for the main guy, Luc, who is one of these humans-turned-monsters, but he is still genuinely a good guy who has lost everything and pretty much spent 8 years of his life filled with sadness, anger, loneliness, hopelessness, and fear. It is an interesting plot, and I like this sentimentality and questions of ethics and choices.

The romance with Luc and Riley is sweet (and cheesy but in a good way). You might be skeptical with the whole “kidnapper and hostage” going on in the beginning, but she is hardly a hostage. He actually treats her well and does not make her do anything she does not want to. He has never intended to do anything bad to her. He is rude in the beginning, but as they learn about each other, they become allies and lovers. I like that she is his anchor, and they learn to trust each other and they go on missions together.
Note: There are explicit details for the romance scenes.

"Of all the things he’d learned about her in the last month, the one that never failed to amuse him was this: she was barely human until after ten in the morning."

Overall, I give it 3 solid stars because it has an interesting plot, and there are some serious sentimental, deep moments. I do believe that out of all of the series Bec McMaster has out right now, this is the most emotional (not my favorite though). However, it is rather slow at times. I want more things happening, more cute bantering, more of everything.

Is there a happy/satisfying ending? Yep. The final chapter is perfect, absolutely perfect.
Love triangle? Cheating? Angst? There is a bit of a love triangle, except it is clear who Riley loves and chooses. No cheating. Angst is low-ish.
Tears-worthy? I don’t think I actually cried, but there are some heart-wrenching scenes. There is this one particular scene in the last chapter where a guy appears to be threatening Luc, and Luc’s daughter stands in front of her dad and tells him to carry him. It made me want to cry because this is the same daughter he has departed from for 8 years, and she has been slow to warm up to him since reuniting with him, but she finally initiates contact with him in this scene. MY HEART BREAKS AND MELTS AT THE SAME TIME.

[Aly is so frigging bored · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book was ok and I love Ms McMaster's writing style, but the world didn't work for me.

[Marta Cox · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well I've absolutely loved this authors steam punk romances so couldn't wait to dive into this new series. Yes I know post apocalyptic stories ( even movies ) abound but this blistering offering grabbed my attention from the first page with its gutsy , no nonsense heroine Riley . She has learned how to survive in a hostile land peopled by both monsters and those who are even more in humane . Riley isn't stupid and knows her limitations but getting captured by a Warg really shakes her world . Yet Lucius isn't the usual monster that lurks and hunts after dark. He's a man set on vengeance and with Riley he just might have found the leverage he needs. He's a hunter, a killer and yet perhaps he's more heroic than he believes?
Well you just have to love a heroine that has gumption , brains and yet still retains her heart. Now partner her with a sexy almost antihero and the stage is set for a fabulous romance. Yes I really liked the world building and it's fast paced but seeing Lucius realise he deserves love and that perhaps happiness could come his way just brought a smile to my face. Lucius has to come to terms with a lot but it was Riley that fought for him all the way. They might start out as enemies but the connection they share is both sensuous and heart wrenching . Who saves who? Well actually when I think about it they save each other but not before this cruel author truly tests just how committed to each other they are!
This voluntary opinion is entirely my own and I can't wait to discover what happens next

[Aly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bec McMaster is so good at writing steampunk so I was curious to see if she can deliver with a dystopian story. Yes,she can.

Nobody's hero was a captivating tale, full of action, of steam, it's raw, it's poignant, but with touching scenes and sweet moments too.

It's year 2147, in a place called the Wastelands. Water and food are harder to find and humans live in a zone surrounded by sand. They have many enemies who can attack at any time but it's especially dangerous when darkness falls. There's the Wargs, humans that turn furry and with rampageous instincts when night comes. There's Revenants, basically they are like zombies, and you have the Reivers, a group of nasty looters.

It all begins when Riley is kidnapped by a Warg who intend to use her as a bargaining chips to get revenge from a man who betrayed him. But they will have to faces lot of obstacles and enemies and they will have to team up to survive in this deadly world. Riley will soon learn that not all Wargs are evil and she will have to deal with the fact something is happening between her and Luc. But can she really gives her trust and her love to a man that could turn dangerous ? And is Luc ready to take the chance, when he was forced before to abandon his family to prevent from hurting them ? And what will happen when he will have to join forces with the friend that betrayed him to save someone they both love?

Luc may be disillusioned and bitter, but there was a playful side of him too that I liked. He's honorable and gentle when he doesn't have to be tough.

Despite showing vulnerability at times and not hiding her fears, the heroine is a badass who never hesitated to drive into danger to save people. She's a real fighter and very courageous.

The romance evolved quickly but it fitted and it was so sweet how they find comfort in each other and there was lot of affection and tenderness in their unusual courtship. I really loved how easily they became a team.

The rivalry and conflics between Luc and Adam was one of the best part of the book. Talk about some intense scenes and complicated feelings. And Adam seem like a fascinating and bewitching character. I'm so happy the next chapter of the series will be about him.

[RachelW (BamaGal) · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is my first dystopian soap opera...

Nice idea for a dystopian storyline, with pretty good wordbuilding and a decent plot. After the warg Luc kidnapped and threatened Riley; they went on the run, mostly underground. Then at about the 25% mark, the story stopped dead still for for two dirty, smelly, complete strangers to have a wtf impromptu and totally out of left field sex scene. That was the point where the story lost me; my attention began to wane, and once they got back to the compound the soap opera really began.

This would have made a decent novella; but there really wasn't enough story to stretch to the length it was. This left the plotline sparse in places.

Thank you to Melindeeloo for the gracious loan...

[N.N. Heaven · Rating 3 out of 5]

Even though I don't care for dystopian, the setting and premise wasn't bad. What made this a a three-star for me was the characters. I disliked the main characters and they didn't seem to grow much. An okay read.

My Rating: 3 stars

[Anna lost in stories *A* · Rating 5 out of 5]

free copy received from the author in exchange for an honest review :)

I absolutely loved this book :) I was reading it whenever I could... even if it were just a few pages on the subway on my way to work in the morning... I finished it way sooner than I expected, just because I had to know how it ends :) and man oh man, what a story it was... give me a few days to process everything and I will have for you guys a full review next week :)

edited to add my full review :)

I got my hands on a free copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review :) and I couldn't be more happy about it :) mainly, because since I am now a part of her ARC team... and I am very proud to say that :) because of that I knew that I would be getting the sequel to this book in january :) so my plan was to catch up on that first book in december :) so imagine my surprise and joy when I was offered that very book in an e-mail thanking me, and by me I mean the whole ARC team for being a part of the release blitz for her last book :) it was like a sign... ;) so naturally this gem was bumped on my tbr #BookMountain and let me tell you... I loved it :) I was a bit hesitant going into this story, mainly because it's soooo much different than her other books, but my worries were for nothing :) each book of hers I read, just proves again and again how much I adore her writing style :) sure, I may not love each story and / or characters on the same level, but the phenomenal writing style is a constant in all of her books :) so how about I will tell you a bit more about our main couple and the world this series takes place in general :)

Ok, so the first thing that comes to my mind when I think about this book, is that it has some serious "Mad Max fury road" vibes :) and I am talking only about that one particular movie, because I haven't seen the previous ones :) but I absolutely loved, loved, LOVED this new installment :) and when I started reading this book, the overall vibes were definitely similar :) which only added the awesomeness to the story :) so we have this alternative version of our world, set some time in the future... I'm not gonna go into too many details, mainly because a lot of those details we learn along the way and I want you to discover them as I did while reading... :) but basicalyy there's been some stuff that happened and now part of United States became Wastelands... this very bleak, dystopian place with very little resources and people living in small settlements... with all sorts of bad... let's just say *things* and leave it at that, because calling them *people* would be too much... I know I'm being vague, but I can say only a bit more without some major spoilers... so there are reivers, this group of... let's call them bad scavengers... and of course wargs... they used to be people, but after being infected with a certain virus, well... it changes them... and trust me, they are NOT the worst thing that's out there... I feel like that's pretty much all I can say to you without giving away too much, so hopefully this will be enough to get you curious, when it comes to the world :)

Now let me tell you about our main couple and some secondary characters as well :) but I will start with Luc and Riley :) I did not expect to like them as much as I did :) we are definitely thrown straight into the middle of action when the book starts, and very quickly we encounter the first meeting between them... or more precisly, how she runs him over with a car... #TrueStory :) there's definitely more to that first meeting that you might think, but I won't tell you anything else :) trust me, it's for the best :) what you need to know is that she ends up as his prisoner, after he kidnaps her to exact a revenge on someone who wronged him in the past :) I know, I know... I'm being vague again, but you don't want to know too much before going into this book :) what I love about their relationship, is that it doesn't happen instantly... it's not like she thinks *hey, this guy kidnapped me, but he's pretty hot, so naturally I should fall for him* :) no, it happens over time... ok, maybe not like a lot of time, but definitely A LOT of stuff happens and she has the opportunity to see him in a different light, doing things she did not expect... and the more she gets to know him... well, you can guess the rest :) I love their interactions and how they change throughout the book :) as for the secondary characters... well, again, I can't actually tell you too much about them :) mainly because if I name them, you'll know they will be important :) and trust me, I see soooo much potential for future stories, including one that if I'm right, it will definitely be a surprise for you, so no spoilers from me :) but what I can say, is that once again Bec McMaster was able to create a whole set of different characters that you love or hate, depending on whether they are the hero or the villain of the story :) I love how complex her characters always are and how many times they can surprise you, even if you think you know all there is to know about them :)

If you haven't figured it out by now, I absolutely loved this book :) I know I haven't shared a lot of details about what actually does happen in this story, but me being vague was totally on purpose :) trust me, it's much better this way :) because this book is filled wih surprising twists and turns of events... they happen like all the time... there was one particular moment when I gasped in surprise so hard, I thought I wuld hyperventilate :) #NoJoke :) so I want to be sure that you will be just as surprised as well :) the best compliment I can give this book, is that I couldn't put it down... I was reading it whenever and wherever I could... even in the mornings on my way to work... :) and that NEVER happens :) mainly because after I get up at 5.30 (because I start work at 7) I am usually to sleepy to do anything productive on my way to work :) I listen to some music that prevents me from falling asleep on the bus or subway, but that's pretty much it :) well, once I started reading this book, I was reading it everywhere :) including on my way to work in the mornings... because something fascinating was happening in that story all the time... :) and every time I had to put it down and go do some adulting I was sad... ;) so I read it every chance I could :) I definitely finished it because of that much sooner than I planned :) but it was soooo worth it :) now of course, I can't wait for that second book :) so if you are looking for a different book, for a story that will keep you glued to the pages... or an author with a fantastic writing style and the ability to create worlds and characters that you can't put down, then definitely give this book, and this author in general, a try :) because if you haven't before, you have no idea what you're missing :) go remedy that right now... it will be worth it :)

XOXO

A

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my blog -> https://bookworm8619.blogspot.com/
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[Lyndi W. · Rating 4 out of 5]

-0.5 star for having sex in the middle of an offensive-attack jail break. Otherwise, I loved it.

[Namita · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was even better the 2nd time around!!

[Saly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoy this author's writing style. h was kick-ass, H was deliciously angsty. Totally enjoyed this.