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Second Chances #1
The Outsiders
Ninety-nine years after going into cryo, Matty wakes up to a world he doesn't know, with no memories of the world--or the man he loves--that he left behind. This new world is full of suspicion and darkness, humanity having moved underground in the aftermath of mysterious Event.
And as Matty's memories return, along with his beloved Arkady, instead of his life getting easier, he finds his new reality only getting more complicated—and more dangerous.
♦ 70,000 words.
And as Matty's memories return, along with his beloved Arkady, instead of his life getting easier, he finds his new reality only getting more complicated—and more dangerous.
♦ 70,000 words.
- GenresAsexualScience Fiction
207 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 30, 2018
38 people want to read
About the author
L.J. LaBarthe
38 books32 followersL.J. LaBarthe is an Australian woman living with disabilities and her cat. She has always loved books, music, and daydreaming. She has written stories since childhood, often drawing pictures to accompany her tales. She won a competition for drawing a picture of Australian Humpty Dumpty, complete with Aussie hat when she was a young child. The drawing was accompanied by an adventure story with Humpty Dumpty she wrote set in Australia. From that moment on, she has not looked back.
She spends her free time watching television and is an unashamed fan of 'Supernatural,' 'Spartacus' and 'Game of Thrones.' She reads newspapers online for fun and loves a good novel. She loves to cook and enjoys a snifter of absinthe from time to time.
L.J. would like to take a moment to let her university professor in creative writing know that knowledge of iambic pentameter isn't necessary in order to be able to enjoy the craft of writing, no matter how much he may have screamed to the contrary.
She spends her free time watching television and is an unashamed fan of 'Supernatural,' 'Spartacus' and 'Game of Thrones.' She reads newspapers online for fun and loves a good novel. She loves to cook and enjoys a snifter of absinthe from time to time.
L.J. would like to take a moment to let her university professor in creative writing know that knowledge of iambic pentameter isn't necessary in order to be able to enjoy the craft of writing, no matter how much he may have screamed to the contrary.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
April 25, 2018
4 stars
Synopsis: Matty wakes up from a cryogenic state 99 years in the future. He doesn't remember his life before he went in to cryo, or how he came to be in New York when he is Australian. The world has changed a lot from what he remembers: there was an Event that caused everyone to have to live underground. Everyone knows that going to the surface is a death sentence. Matty thinks that it might be worth the risk, since the world that he has awakened to is not one that he wants to live in.
As his memories return, Matty realizes that he was part of an elite group who was trying to stop the world population from being annihilated. They were betrayed, though, and several members are killed in the attempted execution of their plan. There was one man in particular that Matty was interested in, and when he is released in to the general population of the colony, he meets up with some of the members of his group again.
One of the members who has been brought out of cryo is Arkady, who Matty was forming a relationship with before they were frozen. Most of the other members who have been released from cryo want to continue their mission...after they find out what happened to their families and friends. In order to do that, though, they will have to leave the colony.
What I liked: the world building. I liked Matty figuring out what happened and slowly regaining his memories, and how frustrated he was with the process. The camaraderie between the team members was nice to see. The characters were all clearly drawn, and it was nice to see some characters outside of the norm, and being accepted and respected without their loved ones wanting to change them, or expecting them to change. I enjoyed the process of trying to figure out who the traitor is.
What I didn't like: there was a lot of world building and exposition, which made it a little difficult to get to know the characters, and therefore relate to them.
Overall impression: very intrigued with how the story will continue and what the end result will be with regards to the traitors and what was really going on behind the scenes.
*I received a copy through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*
Synopsis: Matty wakes up from a cryogenic state 99 years in the future. He doesn't remember his life before he went in to cryo, or how he came to be in New York when he is Australian. The world has changed a lot from what he remembers: there was an Event that caused everyone to have to live underground. Everyone knows that going to the surface is a death sentence. Matty thinks that it might be worth the risk, since the world that he has awakened to is not one that he wants to live in.
As his memories return, Matty realizes that he was part of an elite group who was trying to stop the world population from being annihilated. They were betrayed, though, and several members are killed in the attempted execution of their plan. There was one man in particular that Matty was interested in, and when he is released in to the general population of the colony, he meets up with some of the members of his group again.
One of the members who has been brought out of cryo is Arkady, who Matty was forming a relationship with before they were frozen. Most of the other members who have been released from cryo want to continue their mission...after they find out what happened to their families and friends. In order to do that, though, they will have to leave the colony.
What I liked: the world building. I liked Matty figuring out what happened and slowly regaining his memories, and how frustrated he was with the process. The camaraderie between the team members was nice to see. The characters were all clearly drawn, and it was nice to see some characters outside of the norm, and being accepted and respected without their loved ones wanting to change them, or expecting them to change. I enjoyed the process of trying to figure out who the traitor is.
What I didn't like: there was a lot of world building and exposition, which made it a little difficult to get to know the characters, and therefore relate to them.
Overall impression: very intrigued with how the story will continue and what the end result will be with regards to the traitors and what was really going on behind the scenes.
*I received a copy through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*
May 14, 2018
Review written for Love Bytes Reviews.
I’d like to think I’m fairly familiar with this author and the types of books she writes since I’ve read more than a few but I have to admit that she caught me by surprise with this one! When Matty wakes up from a 99 year sleep in cryo, he has no memories of who he is, where he came from or why he was in cryo to begin with. As he slowly begins to figure out his own past, it quickly becomes clear that he has way more questions than answers and that the society he’s found himself a part of isn’t as idyllic as people seem to think it is. When Matty finally remembers who he really is, and the events that took place before he found himself a living popsicle, it becomes even more imperative he escape the city he’s found himself in so he can search out the truth. Luckily he won’t have to go it alone as the people he was working with before have awakened with him. Getting out is easier said than done, however, and escaping to the surface might just be its own death sentence.
Oh, I really like this; there was a slight sci-fi feel to the story due to the cryogenics used but it was pretty much post apocalyptic all the way which I adored. I enjoyed the overall setting and feel of the story and it was great getting to piece together what happened right alongside the main character. Another fantastic thing about the story? The main character is asexual. I can only remember reading one other story where that was the case and it was a nice surprise here because really, not every story has to include sex. Matty does have a boyfriend, Arkady, so there are scenes showcasing intimacy and affection, just not the kind that typically takes place between the sheets. (or in the shower, or against the wall etc.) The main draw of the book for me was the story and characters, both of which were great. I loved Arkady and really enjoyed his interactions with Matty and Nisha was another fantastic addition because every story should have a woman that knows how to kick someone’s butt. These three together were just great and I enjoyed reading about them immensely.
Over the course of the book I found myself drawn into and intrigued by the world and apocalyptic scenario the author planned out. While the world as a whole wasn’t explored a great deal in this story, as it is the first of a new series I have high hopes that I’ll get to see more in the future. I thought this was a great start to a new series and I’m looking forward to seeing what the author does with it in the next novel. If you enjoy post apocalyptic novels or stories that feature spies I’d give this one a look.
I’d like to think I’m fairly familiar with this author and the types of books she writes since I’ve read more than a few but I have to admit that she caught me by surprise with this one! When Matty wakes up from a 99 year sleep in cryo, he has no memories of who he is, where he came from or why he was in cryo to begin with. As he slowly begins to figure out his own past, it quickly becomes clear that he has way more questions than answers and that the society he’s found himself a part of isn’t as idyllic as people seem to think it is. When Matty finally remembers who he really is, and the events that took place before he found himself a living popsicle, it becomes even more imperative he escape the city he’s found himself in so he can search out the truth. Luckily he won’t have to go it alone as the people he was working with before have awakened with him. Getting out is easier said than done, however, and escaping to the surface might just be its own death sentence.
Oh, I really like this; there was a slight sci-fi feel to the story due to the cryogenics used but it was pretty much post apocalyptic all the way which I adored. I enjoyed the overall setting and feel of the story and it was great getting to piece together what happened right alongside the main character. Another fantastic thing about the story? The main character is asexual. I can only remember reading one other story where that was the case and it was a nice surprise here because really, not every story has to include sex. Matty does have a boyfriend, Arkady, so there are scenes showcasing intimacy and affection, just not the kind that typically takes place between the sheets. (or in the shower, or against the wall etc.) The main draw of the book for me was the story and characters, both of which were great. I loved Arkady and really enjoyed his interactions with Matty and Nisha was another fantastic addition because every story should have a woman that knows how to kick someone’s butt. These three together were just great and I enjoyed reading about them immensely.
Over the course of the book I found myself drawn into and intrigued by the world and apocalyptic scenario the author planned out. While the world as a whole wasn’t explored a great deal in this story, as it is the first of a new series I have high hopes that I’ll get to see more in the future. I thought this was a great start to a new series and I’m looking forward to seeing what the author does with it in the next novel. If you enjoy post apocalyptic novels or stories that feature spies I’d give this one a look.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews