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Brace for Humanity #3
Overseer’s Chain
Manipulating files gets her attention of the alien overseer, and his fascination with her is mutual.
Isabella is an excellent assessor, and she can put the right human in the right job without hesitation. When one of her little file manipulations gets the attention of the overseer, she is summoned to his offices and faces a harsh sentence.
Bound to the overseer by cuffs that keep her at his beck and call, Isabella gives him the details on human interaction while changing plans for her people with miniscule nudges.
Iktabi has been in charge of Imrahl since it became a viable outpost. Waiting for his own mate has been an exercise in patience. When Isabella ends up in his office, he knows his match when he sees it, but the paperwork is a nightmare.
Isabella is an excellent assessor, and she can put the right human in the right job without hesitation. When one of her little file manipulations gets the attention of the overseer, she is summoned to his offices and faces a harsh sentence.
Bound to the overseer by cuffs that keep her at his beck and call, Isabella gives him the details on human interaction while changing plans for her people with miniscule nudges.
Iktabi has been in charge of Imrahl since it became a viable outpost. Waiting for his own mate has been an exercise in patience. When Isabella ends up in his office, he knows his match when he sees it, but the paperwork is a nightmare.
100 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 3, 2017
35 people are currently reading
54 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
March 15, 2017
The world building in this series continues to be good and expanding. The heroine's intelligence is a real pleasure but we know very little about the hero.
I have been looking forward to the romance between these two but it ends up feeling a bit cold without the details of character that would make the love story really good.
I liked learning more about the world but needed more romance.
I have been looking forward to the romance between these two but it ends up feeling a bit cold without the details of character that would make the love story really good.
I liked learning more about the world but needed more romance.
April 20, 2017
Waking up in a fluid filled vat, Isabella Thems is able to extract herself only to find she's one of many who are in a sort of hibernation state in stasis tubes. Hiding from her captors is futile as she's quickly identified and to her surprise delegated in the position of assessor. Her role, to identify and catalogue suitable career jobs for the other humans as they wake from their own tubes.
Overseer Iktabi is charged with the transitions of humans to their new environment while maintaining the smooth running of Imrahl. Finding out one of the human assessors has manipulated files to redirect females who could be breeders for the men, Iktabi decides a suitable consequence is to reassign her as his personal assistant and thus restrict her ability to repeat such actions in the future. As the first to come out of stasis, Isabella knows the real truth as to why humans were introduced to Imrahl and what's at risk for the future. The stakes are high so preventing her from sharing what she knows with the other humans is imperative.
* * *
I saw this book read by a friend and found it interesting enough to grab for myself. It's a futuristic SciFi romantic suspense story that follows the mars needs women premise. Of note, I haven't read the previous installments and therefore can't address if this could be read as a stand alone other than to share that after reading this story I was good understanding the majority of this story.
As for the actual story. The intro and first third of the story included the foundation of world building and getting to know the characters and their roles. Though slightly bland I did appreciate the author's take in regards to the setting and premise though I'm wondering if I lost a partial glimpse into things from not reading the previous installments. Regardless, it didn't take long to find that the story had multiple layers of mystery and intrigue that were revealed to the reader as Isabella herself found them out. Multiple pieces in a puzzle that became clear as the pieces were put into place. Call me Sherlock Holmes, I subsequently went into sleuth mode to find out what all was going on and what the natives were hiding from the humans.
As for the core romance. This I felt was a weak part of the story. It gave the appearance of a clinical match vs a true emotional romantic connection between the two. This included a sit down formal birds and bees talk to discuss the unique mating practices of Iktabi's species. Talk about awkward. For those who like to know, there was a solo seal the deal adult content intimate scene between the couple that wasn't overly graphic thus will appeal to romantic reading fans. Iktabi's culture really isn't into the whole PDA (public displays of affection) scene I guess.
Secondary characters add value to the story and I'm sure more natives will be featured in future installments. Lianne & Sorrok from the first installment Untrained Fascination make an appearance and Arix makes a cameo on HIS way to tracking Bree Heart of the Hunted but I didn't feel I lost out on their roles from not having prior read those books though I do have plans to grab those books.
Problems for me stem from a lack of depth in overall world building and a lack of emotional connection leading up to Isabella & Iktabi becoming a couple. So many questions and so many overall unaddressed areas left me in the dark in regards to understanding key points in the story. One NON SPOILER example is that I took liberties in using a virgin tag based on what I read and other hints picked up while reading this story but I could be wrong. Bottom line is when I get mixed messages and voids I tend to question more and more if a story worked for me.
This is a book that fans of SciFi romantic intrigue might want to check out. I enjoyed this story and if there was a 3.5 rating that's what I would have gone for but alas that's not the case so had to round out. It has enough of a draw that I will definitely be checking out past and future installments as I want more of the SciFi world the author has created and hope that I'll appreciate the individual couples more as I do get more comfortable with things.
Overseer Iktabi is charged with the transitions of humans to their new environment while maintaining the smooth running of Imrahl. Finding out one of the human assessors has manipulated files to redirect females who could be breeders for the men, Iktabi decides a suitable consequence is to reassign her as his personal assistant and thus restrict her ability to repeat such actions in the future. As the first to come out of stasis, Isabella knows the real truth as to why humans were introduced to Imrahl and what's at risk for the future. The stakes are high so preventing her from sharing what she knows with the other humans is imperative.
* * *
I saw this book read by a friend and found it interesting enough to grab for myself. It's a futuristic SciFi romantic suspense story that follows the mars needs women premise. Of note, I haven't read the previous installments and therefore can't address if this could be read as a stand alone other than to share that after reading this story I was good understanding the majority of this story.
As for the actual story. The intro and first third of the story included the foundation of world building and getting to know the characters and their roles. Though slightly bland I did appreciate the author's take in regards to the setting and premise though I'm wondering if I lost a partial glimpse into things from not reading the previous installments. Regardless, it didn't take long to find that the story had multiple layers of mystery and intrigue that were revealed to the reader as Isabella herself found them out. Multiple pieces in a puzzle that became clear as the pieces were put into place. Call me Sherlock Holmes, I subsequently went into sleuth mode to find out what all was going on and what the natives were hiding from the humans.
As for the core romance. This I felt was a weak part of the story. It gave the appearance of a clinical match vs a true emotional romantic connection between the two. This included a sit down formal birds and bees talk to discuss the unique mating practices of Iktabi's species. Talk about awkward. For those who like to know, there was a solo seal the deal adult content intimate scene between the couple that wasn't overly graphic thus will appeal to romantic reading fans. Iktabi's culture really isn't into the whole PDA (public displays of affection) scene I guess.
Secondary characters add value to the story and I'm sure more natives will be featured in future installments. Lianne & Sorrok from the first installment Untrained Fascination make an appearance and Arix makes a cameo on HIS way to tracking Bree Heart of the Hunted but I didn't feel I lost out on their roles from not having prior read those books though I do have plans to grab those books.
Problems for me stem from a lack of depth in overall world building and a lack of emotional connection leading up to Isabella & Iktabi becoming a couple. So many questions and so many overall unaddressed areas left me in the dark in regards to understanding key points in the story. One NON SPOILER example is that I took liberties in using a virgin tag based on what I read and other hints picked up while reading this story but I could be wrong. Bottom line is when I get mixed messages and voids I tend to question more and more if a story worked for me.
This is a book that fans of SciFi romantic intrigue might want to check out. I enjoyed this story and if there was a 3.5 rating that's what I would have gone for but alas that's not the case so had to round out. It has enough of a draw that I will definitely be checking out past and future installments as I want more of the SciFi world the author has created and hope that I'll appreciate the individual couples more as I do get more comfortable with things.
March 18, 2018
Great
This book was the best of all three loved the characters ,what I have figured out after reading these books of Ms Graces is that although the story line is fabulous there is only one point of view from the female, these books would be stupendous if she would write from both male and female perspective
This book was the best of all three loved the characters ,what I have figured out after reading these books of Ms Graces is that although the story line is fabulous there is only one point of view from the female, these books would be stupendous if she would write from both male and female perspective
November 19, 2017
Quirky story
I enjoyed this book as the heroine Isabelle was just straight forward and so very smart. Without giving any spoilers this is an alien world needs women plot. The twist is amazing, and makes for a great read. Highly recommend.
I enjoyed this book as the heroine Isabelle was just straight forward and so very smart. Without giving any spoilers this is an alien world needs women plot. The twist is amazing, and makes for a great read. Highly recommend.
June 26, 2017
Enjoyable
Interesting series. Love the theme. Glad that there are more in the series to come. Hopefully the author is getting better. Clone wars advance!
Interesting series. Love the theme. Glad that there are more in the series to come. Hopefully the author is getting better. Clone wars advance!
February 8, 2018
A fun read.
June 19, 2018
💘it
A wonderful different world. Miss Grace is an exceptional writer that immerses you in the story. One of my favorite authors
A wonderful different world. Miss Grace is an exceptional writer that immerses you in the story. One of my favorite authors
Read
May 19, 2020Add much as I enjoyed thus book the fact that there all clones is a little creepy and ruined it just a bit.
March 18, 2017
Loved it
Loved Iktabii and Isabella's story. When Iktabi !earns what Isabella has been up to he is understandably upset. He is a good and fair overseer. Since her in site and reasoning were not only sound but in the best interest of all her punishment is to become his personal assistant. A job she loves. She is also chained to Iktabi by a magnetic force and his new roommate. Who can cook, too. Love a strong capable women, and appreciate a man who understands and support her. More is revealed about the Rrassic and colony on Imrahl. A great addition to the series. Looking forward to Lekorh's story.
Loved Iktabii and Isabella's story. When Iktabi !earns what Isabella has been up to he is understandably upset. He is a good and fair overseer. Since her in site and reasoning were not only sound but in the best interest of all her punishment is to become his personal assistant. A job she loves. She is also chained to Iktabi by a magnetic force and his new roommate. Who can cook, too. Love a strong capable women, and appreciate a man who understands and support her. More is revealed about the Rrassic and colony on Imrahl. A great addition to the series. Looking forward to Lekorh's story.
March 11, 2017
Nice
I gave the book 4 stars it was nice but short. It could have been just a bit longer but it was still a good story.
I gave the book 4 stars it was nice but short. It could have been just a bit longer but it was still a good story.
December 9, 2017
The last book had a very interesting and surprising facts that expanded the world building for me. The whole plot that revolves around the world building was great. I enjoy and find the heroine's curiosity and intelligence and her bravery to make some subterfuge to help her fellow terrans and friends have a better life very refreshing.
The book was really good in sense but for me it was not well balanced for I find the h's relationship with the hero to be lacking some depths. While we get to know the heroine nothing much was said about the hero. We only know what was written as his description but not on a emotional level like I did with the heroine.
The book was really good in sense but for me it was not well balanced for I find the h's relationship with the hero to be lacking some depths. While we get to know the heroine nothing much was said about the hero. We only know what was written as his description but not on a emotional level like I did with the heroine.
April 3, 2017
Overseer's Chain by Viola Grace
The Overseer's Chain is the third book in Viola Grace's Brace for Humanity series. This book follows the story of Isabella/Bella from the time she wakes in a vat of fluid through getting caught doctoring files which brings her to the attention of Overseer Iktabi and their push pull relationship. There are a lot of revelations in this book that characters in previous books were unaware of. Great story and well written.
The Overseer's Chain is the third book in Viola Grace's Brace for Humanity series. This book follows the story of Isabella/Bella from the time she wakes in a vat of fluid through getting caught doctoring files which brings her to the attention of Overseer Iktabi and their push pull relationship. There are a lot of revelations in this book that characters in previous books were unaware of. Great story and well written.
March 11, 2017
As promised, this book tells the story of a character in the know in the previous books. It begins before the first two books in the series and takes place at the same time. It also provides a lot more world building that provides answers to questions I had and hadn't thought of. Plus, the heroine is pretty centered and smart.
March 31, 2017
Loved It!
This entire series has been great! I definitely look forward to the next one, and will be buying it as soon as it comes out. Highly recommended!!!
Merged review:
I have loved this entire series so far! Highly recommended+++
This entire series has been great! I definitely look forward to the next one, and will be buying it as soon as it comes out. Highly recommended!!!
Merged review:
I have loved this entire series so far! Highly recommended+++
February 13, 2022
This book starts with a bit of a twist and we learn more about the this new world, how it was created and why. I love this series and can't wait for the next book.
March 21, 2017
There was just a tad bit of info dump in it, but otherwise it was good. Also, I never really felt a connection between Iktabi and Isabella. But if you like VG, and I do, this is a nice little fix.
April 6, 2024
2.5 stars
March 28, 2017
This book was very good. I am really enjoying this series by Viola Grace. Its set on another planet and has sci-fi elements, which I like. This is about Isabella who is an assessor for the Rrassic people. she places the humans that are coming through the system to their respective areas of expertise and she is good at it. She does a little file manipulation and gets taken into the overseer's office. Iktabi is the overseer and he is mad and has to punish her for it. He chains her to him with cuffs on her arms. Very enjoyable..well written and somewhat emotional content. Very quick read. Highly recommend this series if you like sci-fi romance, etc.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews