Sun

Bridge & Sword #10 (old version)

by J.C. Andrijeski

And the Bridge spins her light, until we come to live here no more…

In this final installment of the epic science-fantasy series, Allie and Revik fight their final war of all against all, facing off with the Mythers, a silent, behind-the-scenes army of religious fanatics and murderers mobilized to end this life-cycle on Earth.

While Revik and Allie try to pull the pieces of their life and marriage back together after the nightmare of their last mission in China, Myther armies pop up around the globe, murdering seers and humans from the Displacement Lists and taking over quarantine cities left over from the human plague. Worse, the grisly, ritualistic murders they perform aren’t simply sadistic or religiously-motivated, but part of a millennia-long plan of the Dreng to leave Earth altogether, destroying the planet and murdering most of its inhabitants in the process.

Allie and Revik have no time left to fix things between them––and no future left to put things off. Cobbling together the last remnants of their own forces, they launch a final counter-offensive, teaming up with the most unlikely of allies and using every weapon left at their disposal. Only together with their entire dysfunctional “family” of seers and humans can they change the course of history and forge a new hope for both races.

Standalone novel. No cliffhanger.

SUN is book 10 and the FINAL book in the main Bridge & Sword series (not including prequel novels). It is also related to the Quentin Black World, and takes place in the wider history/world of the seers.

THE BRIDGE & SWORD WORLD is a dark, gritty science fiction and apocalyptic series with strong romantic elements, starring Alyson Taylor and her partner, dark and dangerous infiltrator, Dehgoies Revik. For fans of gritty, character-driven science fiction and fantasy worlds, filled with twists and turns and backstabbing betrayals, with heroes and villains who can be equally relatable (and sometimes the same people). The Bridge & Sword books span continents and historical periods as Allie and Revik try to save the human and seer races from destroying one another, and keep their friends and loved ones alive in the process.

BRIDGE & SWORD WORLD Reading Order:
Rook (Bridge & Sword Series #1)
Shield (Bridge & Sword Series #2)
Sword (Bridge & Sword Series #3)
Shadow (Bridge & Sword Series #4)
Knight (Bridge & Sword Series #5)
War (Bridge & Sword Series #6)
Bridge (Bridge & Sword Series #7)
Prophet (Bridge & Sword Series #8)
Dragon (Bridge & Sword Series #9)
Sun (Bridge & Sword Series #10)

QUENTIN BLACK MYSTERY SERIES Reading Order:
Black In White (Quentin Black Mystery #1)
Black As Night (Quentin Black Mystery #2)
Black On Black (Quentin Black Mystery #3)
Black Is Back (Quentin Black Mystery #4)
Black And Blue (Quentin Black Mystery #5)
Black Of Mood (Quentin Black Mystery #6)
Black To Dust (Quentin Black Mystery #7) ~ Coming Soon!

Genres: Science Fiction

720 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 17, 2018

About the author

Also publishes under the name Julie Light


JC Andrijeski is a USA TODAY bestselling author who writes sexy, apocalyptic and cyberpunk-y science fiction romance and mystery books, often with a metaphysical bent. Current works include the gritty, epic, psychic warfare romance, ALLIE'S WAR, which follows Allie Taylor and her antihero partner, Revik, in their attempts to save the world from a dark, psychic force. Her dystopian science fiction romance series, ALIEN APOCALYPSE, features Jet Tetsuo, survivor and slave under alien conquerors, and her GATE SHIFTER series is about a shape-shifting alien and a tough-girl PI from Seattle. Her newest launch is QUENTIN BLACK, a science fiction romance and mystery series that’s a spin-off from Allie’s War but set in our own version of Earth.

JC has a background in journalism, history and politics, travels extensively and has lived abroad in Europe, Australia and Asia, and from coast to coast in the continental United States. She currently lives in Bangkok, Thailand.

To learn more about me and my writing, please visit http://jcandrijeski.com. For more about the Allie's War series, visit http://allieswarseries.com

If you want to get an automatic email when JC's next book is released, join THE REBEL ARMY at tinyurl.com/JCAndrijeski.

Reviews

[debturk1970_bookvibes · Rating 5 out of 5]

An Outstanding, Shocking and, At Times, Disturbing Finale But With Hope!!🙏💕😢🌟💥🔥💔
(Read using Kindle Unlimited) Some Spoilers Included 😎💥

This final book in this thrilling, emotive and heart breaking series carries the theme of the others on. The new threat to our band of Heroes is Human based but backed by the twisted, self-serving Dreng!! The 'Mythers' are brutal & violent Religious Zealots. Their hate is mostly towards the Bridge & ALL of her followers no matter age or Race!!😳😢 What's most awful is when that unbridled hatred is shined upon Human & Seers alike, without care of their beliefs because they aren't the beliefs of the Mythers!😕 The violence & it's flavours are extreme!!😭🔥

Allie & Revik FINALLY decide to put their relationship first, in some respects, and without using sex to unconsciously manipulate each other or just ignoring issues like they usually do!!💘In fact sex is off the table completely for once and they're doing their own form of marriage/mate counselling whilst the War continues to rage!!😎🙏🍀

As more things come to light the Bridge & Sword start to truly see what is coming! They send most of the Listers away while they head off to try & gather more intelligence in a desperate race against the Mythers & Dreng. What they discover is horrifying, end game terrifying and solidifies decisions!!😱😭
The final war is nearly upon them .... Allie has to stop them from by opening a door first and they may have to abandon Earth as the Ancestors always said ... They don't know that yet though but do suspect it!!😳🙏💥 Now it's a case of saving as many as they can 😭💀🙏💥

Will our longest standing friends and family survive? The Listers? The Bridge? The Sword? Will Earth? Can they stop the Dreng this time?✋🌍🌅

This entire series has engulfed me!😎 I was hooked in and swallowed whole by it and only stopped reading to sleep 💤 Its impressive, uncomfortable, sexy, heartbreaking, vile, disgusting, hopeful, beautiful .... It's so full of emotion it's impossible to express!! 🎉
(The parallels with many extremist groups in our world today were uncomfortably obvious.😢😞 It managed to resonate throughout, with many of today's political & religious troubles, without being too obvious I felt!!🙏 This doesn't in any way encroach upon the books storyline integrity as it's so cleverly written.👍),

I highly recommend this fantastic series. Each book is 4/5 Star 🌟 and generally around 20 hours long 😱😂😎 Its a commitment but it's SO worth it 😉 🙏💕

Debbie, 1970, UK

[Joy Ki`Ili · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG! To say I'm sad this was the last book is an understatement, especially when the ending gives us hints at what's out there. I'm one of those that loves it when the author revisits a world and gives us an update. I've actually read all the original books & all the rewrites and I loved the clarity the rewrites gave us. I'm so glad the author got those out before she gave us Sun, I feel the ending fit better. We still have our rollercoaster & it's quite a ride.

I received an ARC of this story and have voluntarily chosen to review it here

[Moira · Rating 5 out of 5]

23.5.2018 - 4,5*

Nejsem si jistá, jestli sérii budu schopna někdy přečíst znova. Tak to místy bolelo.
Je tu i faktor toho, že... no, je to deset knih. Narvaných dějem. Charaktery se měnily, a někdy radikálně. Popravdě si nejsem jistá, jestli bych protagonisty v prvních dílech snesla. Především pro všechno to drama. A taky proto, že vím, jak některé věci potom budou bolet.

K trochu racionállnějšímu náhledu, plus:
+ militantní operace. Závěrečný boj v této knize. Plno plusových bodíků, nejspíše i proto, že mě překvapilo, jak dobře to autorka zpracovala, jak dokonale to sedělo do atmosféry celého příběhu. A zároveň mě to nepřekvapilo. Ani malinko. Andrijeski v této sérii vždy dodala, co slíbila.
+ aspekty východní kultury. Tohle bylo prostě kouzelné a brilantní. Nijak nucené, jednoduše přirozené a autorka to napsala dokonale. Nechám to u toho. A pořád nemůžu z hlavy dostat mandarínské límce - a to už je několik knih nazpět. :D
+ tohle je trochu miš maš plus/negativum: tak matoucí aspekty brutality a zároveň autorka dokázala prezentovat tak intenzivní... nevím, jak jinak to popsat, než dobro. Víru v něco lepšího. Možná v integritu. V naději.
+ je to propracované, promyšlené, je to komplexní, je to zamotané. Možná je to tím, že to autorka před napsáním posledních závěrečných dílů celé editovala, ale damn, je to propojené od první po poslední stránku. A je to skvělé.
+ originalita, nápady, s kterými autorka přišla. Jsou unikátní, a tím myslím doopravdy skvělé. Ve smyslu, že jsem některé věci nikde jinde neviděla. Andrijeski v tomto ohledu bezpodmíněčně vedla.
+ zvraty. Tohle se netýká pouze této knihy, ale všech předchozích. I když byly některé díly slabší, šestka a sedmička mě osobně příliš nenadchly, co se týče tempa a obsahu, vždy se tam událo něco tak převratného, co v jednom bodě naprosto obrátilo úhel pohledu, změnilo situaci, prostě vás koplo do zubů, že jsem si nemohla pomoct a prostě jsem zírala.

Samozřejmě tady jsou i negativa, ale popravdě, je to jen pár dnů, co jsem dočetla Sun, a nějak si je už tak ostře nevybavuju. A rozhodně nejsou technická, jsou to spíše jen osobní preference.
- Vím, že mi úplně nesedělo, jak emocionální občas seers dokázali být. Ale vyvažovalo se to se zaláskovaností, kterou jsem autorce zobala z ruky, takže nejspíše nemůžu mít jedno bez druhého.
- Taky, Revik byl/nebyl moje platonická láska zhruba po celou dobu série. Měla jsem jej v hlavě jako dominantní, vůdčí osobnost, což rozhodně byl... až na pár sexuálních aspektů, které mě možná více překvapily, než že by to bylo negativum. Srovnala jsem se s tím, když jsem si uvědomila, jak mladý je v poměru se zbytkem, ale stejně, trochu to nahlodalo můj pohled na něj. Do míry, kdy to více méně ignoruju. *smích*
- Trochu mě irituje i pár věcí, které mají takový nedokončený ráz. Buď to byly postavy a místo pro charaktery, které dostaly svou chvilku slávy, ale nedokážu si přesně vyvodit proč, pokud to pouze nevykreslovalo pozadí... ale například takový Dragon? Co udělal Allie a Revikovi? Možná jsem jen někde minula nějaký detail, ale úplně jeho roli nechápu. Ne že by nebyl zajímavý detail, ale je to kolem a kolem tak dobře zpracovaný kousek, tato série, že mi to nedá tak úplně spát.

Hm.
Série skončila.
Damn.
Bridge & Sword skončilo. @_@
A smějte se mi, ale za ten roztomilý konec dám taky padesát tisíc plusových bodíků. Pro tu fucked up cestu, kterou si Allie a Revik prošli bych za jiný konec vraždila.
Nějak nedokážu pobrat, že se s nimi opravdu musím rozloučit. Po tom cca týdnu nonstop čtení této série. Budou mi chybět a doufám, že autorka napíše nějaké novelky nebo aspoň scény s nimi. ^^

[Rebekkah Brainerd · Rating 5 out of 5]

I should start by stating this series happens to be one of my ultimate all time favorites. From the very beginning, the Bridge and Sword series is seductive, angsty, heart-wrenching, beautiful, and complex as hell. I’ve been waiting for the conclusion to this series for 2 years – two looonnnnnnggg years I spent rereading it more than a few times.

So now let’s get to SUN itself. What struck me most about it was how different it felt – and if you’ve read DRAGON and the cliffhanger at the end, I can’t decide if it’s because of Andrijeski’s genius or because there’s a two year gap between the two books. For a lack of a better term… there was a lightness… almost simplicity… in a way I didn’t expect. That’s not to say it isn’t gritty or hard or a strike right in the heart – it’s all of those things.

Maybe what I mean is that we didn’t get to dive head first into the muck of every character as much as with other books. And honestly, it made sense. I was definitely sad not to spend as much in-depth time as possible with some of my all-time favorite characters, but this was the Finale – the final ticking clock, the rush to the ultimate conclusion --

(Which is kinda going to blow your mind.) So a lot of the “difference” of this book made a ton of sense.

I’m not sure how much I can talk about the plot or the characters without giving it all away. Let’s just say Andrijeski yet again doesn't do quite what you expect and keeps you guessing. I absolutely adore Uye now. I kinda didn’t care to read about Chandre’s perspective, but even that made sense in the end. I missed reading more about certain characters simply because I know I'm going to miss the hell out of them.

As for Allie and Revik… because I know that’s who you all actually want to hear about… let’s just say it doesn’t disappoint.

The ending I can’t even touch; I can’t say anything without spoiling the hell out of it. So let’s just say that you’re going to leave with a heartache and a smile.

[Mandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the final book in the Bridge and Sword series. Allie and Revik have to fight the final war against the Mythers - religious fanatics more interested in murder and ending the life-cycle on Earth. They also need to try and sort everything out in their lives and marriage after the events of the last mission in China whilst trying to handle the situation of Myther armies taking over the quarantine cities and gathering up seers and humans off the Displacement List and performing grisly ritual murders of them. So they cobble together what forces they have, make unlikely allies and start the final offensive trying to stop the Mythers, the Dreng, and save their wider "family", their allies as well as themselves.

OMG - If I could give this book more than 5 stars it would surely deserve 10. This is definitely a longer book than the previous books but needed that amount of text in order to do justice on the final act in the story and all the related events that took place. The level of detail was exacting and it definitely needed that in order for everything to make sense. Everything was very well written and it all fit well into the story from the previous books so there were no continuity errors in the plot. There were many events that happened that were better than I hoped would happen and the end and perfect even if Revik definitely had me worried. I can envisage another series coming out of this one - not necessarily with Allie and Revik but there are plenty of other people who could be central to it. You could read this stand alone but as someone who has read all the other books in the series it added to the story for me.

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

I give this book 10 stars! It is an awesome excellent well written story! Allie and Revik have gone through many changes and trials and in the end they were stronger. They examined many of the things that happen and shared on a level only bonded couple could. Allie’s biological father helped Revik realize that changes needed to be made for their relationship to survive. Because of the changes the couple went through they were able to be stronger to help save their friends and people on the lists.
Yes, there were losses but many survived. You have the Elaerians, seers and humans and native Americans who leave earth for another chance to live in peace. Now for the action, lots of it, plot twists, romance, and humor. There are some surprises and be sure to have the Kleenex handy.
The bad guys/ Drengs are up to no good and many will suffer at their hands. In the end , the good will survive. I must admit that the ending had a couple of surprises. Jon and Wreg are together with others but not all have gone to the same place. Life goes on and I do see where there could be a couple of books with a more peaceful and growing of friends and families in the new places.
Thank you, JC Andrijeski for such and excellent series of books!

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good conclusion

I have been a fan of this series for a long time. I read the original stories, and the rewrites. This last book, while very long and drawn out at times, seemed to rush through some things. I didn’t like the way things were handled with Jem. I would love a spin off with Revit, Joe, Jem and the others. I also didn’t really like the “new” Balidor. The conclusion finally wrapped up a few of the questions and open pieces the books have left during the course of the series, and while I have never been a Revik fan, did did start to grow on me when he started changing and focusing more on being truthful with Allie.... too bad it took to the last book for this to happen. I think at some point perhaps there was a lead into the Quentin Black series from this world, but I didn’t catch on to where that storyline came from but perhaps now that Allie’s story is wrapped up we’ll get to read about how Quentin came to his new world. All in all I thought the book wrapped it up nicely and I hope to read more about the seer world and perhaps get a glimpse or Allie and her family at some time.

[Deanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful ending to a wonderful series

Other than one other book while waiting for the release of the Sun, I read this series straight through. It was addicting. The Sun was without question the best of the 10. There was more, and more varied, action with new elements to the story, which was appreciated. Each book has a lot of what I would call filler words but less in this one, not that they are that distracting or boring. I find it amazing that someone is blessed with such an imagination to be able to create such a complex story, but JC Andrijeski is definitely blessed. Now that the series is over, I almost want to go back and read it again, and I NEVER re-read books. One caveat--if you don't like a lot of sex in your stories, run the other way. Seers, the starring race in these books, are just about synonymous with sex. Whole chapters can be devoted to it. Nevertheless, unless it really bothers you, the underlying story is well worth the read with or without the sex. Although this series has ended, I hope there will be new series letting us keep up with those who survived and their new lives. I miss them already.

[Britney · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cried like a baby at the end of this book. What a ride it’s been for the Bridge & Sword!

I’m a sucker for happy endings but I can’t say that’s what I received here... it was more bitter sweet and oh so beautiful!

That book is written impeccably well, on par with the standards I’ve come to expect from J.C. Andrjeski.

The book is lengthy, a lot of it consisted of a trip down memory lane through the eyes of Allie & Revik. I found myself having to push through the beginning before the book heated up, but once it did it was more than worth it.

Just a few sporadic thoughts:

Jon & Wreg - 😭😭😭
Cass & Balidor - 😡 I just don’t get it, I know everyone deserves forgiveness but... NAH
Chandra - ❤️

Overall this book was everything I expected and more, I’m looking forward to reading the series over in the future. I’m addicted to these characters and although the series is “over”, I’m hoping to get another book with everyone’s happily ever after.

[Gab · Rating 5 out of 5]

Forget the five star rating!
That system is not applicable to this book, to this series of books. They merit so much more!
With this final part of the Bridge & Sword story, Ms Andrijeski has given us a sweeping, epic tale of destruction and renewal.
With excruciating attention to detail she has filled in gaps in the story from beginning to end. Showed the changing landscape of the world she created, the inner landscape of the people living and fighting in it.
But she herself says it best of all:
"It is like excerpts, lines or verses of the same story, woven into a single tapestry, a single, long-running story line or epic poem with multiple threads and subplots."
As with every one of her books I felt like rushing to the end but not wanting to get there. Being excited, angry, sad, deeply moved, the whole gamut of human emotions, left me exhausted at the finish and wanting more.

[Jo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I said in my review of Dragon that I would put the hurt of the ending of the series off until another day.  Well, that day has come, and my feelings about that are all over the place.

Given the strength of the world building, the depth of the characters, and the emotional connection with them, that is hardly surprising.  What I didn't expect (and perhaps that is naive on my part) was to be crying towards the end of the book.  Not a stray tear sneaking out.  Properly, hand over mouth, pack of tissues required, crying.

I can't tell you why, because spoilers.  

What I can tell you is that this final book in the series absolutely does justice to everything that has gone before. 

The word "epic" is used to describe stories like this.  It is a monster of a book.  It wrung me out.  And I ADORED it.

A triumph.

I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book.

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ok, so here it is. Whew! I fell in love with the series because of this book. This is the kind of an ending a series should aim for(at least in my non-existent reading experience).I am so happy with it.
I am just full of awe at the world created by the author ,the elements and the plot .It will definitely be a series I will read again.

I am so fucking disappointed with the ending of Quentin black series, my favorite series ,I want the author to rewrite it again from a new plot point and even a more satisfying and deserving ending or maybe even remove the book. I should not mention here this stuff but I fell into reading this particular series due to Quentin black series and fell in love with it.

I am so happy with the series that I want to read again, skip to the book(black series) which mentions Revik and Allie .I didn't even know them from this standpoint at that time.

[Julie Halleck · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the entire series including the prequels. However, the last book in the series, Sun, was disappointing to me. What happens with the pregnancy? How is Dragon resolved with this baby? These questions are not addressed. It seems like a major part of the story is swept under the rug. I also would have liked a little more with the characters in their new homes at the end. I felt there were a lot of unanswered questions. I really connected with the characters and I don't like to be left with unresolved conflicts. I become so connected I worry (I know it sounds crazy, but it is true...) about them. I really feel the series needs one last book to tie up all the loose ends and offer a sense of resolution and satisfaction to the readers.

[Lynn Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

So it’s the end..

Can I just say “thank you” to JC for not finishing the series in a cliffhanger? Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU! I’ve never successfully made it through a ten book series before now and I’m so glad I did! After everything my characters went through, to end it like this.. It makes me and my heart so incredibly happy! Now the biggest question is this: Do I continue on with the Quentin Black Series because I’m so freaking curious or start something new? I don’t know yet. But I do know that I am so filled with peace for the characters that have grown to be a part of me that either way, I’ll be ok. So will they.

[Gigi · Rating 5 out of 5]

The final battle...

‘Sun: Bridge & Sword,’ was incredibly heartbreaking and brilliantly heartwarming.
Everything Revik and Allie have fought for and towards is finally drawing towards and end. While rushing to find and get all the puzzles pieces in order to open and maintain the doors open; Allie and Revik desperately try to complete their bonding once and for all. This last novel to the series was wonderfully written! A perfect end to the series... though we always want more!

[Angie7 · Rating 5 out of 5]

The War, Finally, The Beginning

Awesome I can't believe how it ended. The fight was so dramatic so descriptive to it was almost like being there. So many characters and personalities just jumped out with so much emotion. I cried. I laughed. A beautifully written story. This book explains so much after reading so many of the previous books what does finality actually gives a better understanding to the Sears the dreams the hopes the beliefs. I will miss these characters and personalities but hey I have the Black stories to continue with. And see how they turn out.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. Just wow. This series was spellbinding and the ending book certainly didn't disappoint. The finale was not what I envisioned it would be; it was better! I hate leaving these characters behind, but am reassured at meeting some of them again in the crossover series about Quentin Black. I've already read 9 of these, but will have to revisit to check on them now that I know them so well.
Kudos to you, J.C., for having such a fantastic imagination and the skill to create this world and write about it so realistically. This was a true joy to read.

[T. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received Sun book 10 of the Bridge and Shield series, as a free copy from the author/publisher. The gifting did not determine the review/rating, which reflects my honest opinion. OMG- this was a terrific ending for the series-- lots of twists and turns in this fast-paced final book in the Bridge and Sword series. The tension was high all the way through the story, and quite a few times I was stunned at the way the writer's mind works.

[Kristin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. I am still in shock. The series is finally over. I am going to miss Allie and Revik. I can say that all of my questions were finally answered and obscure myth details came to pass explaining everything and wrapping up the story nicely. There were still many surprises and the journey was a tough one. I am sad the series is done but glad that they finally get to rest and be a family.

[Beverly Wood · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect

Absolutely gripping. Also, frustrating, emotional, heart wrenching, and, well, perfect. Every part of it, from beginning to end, is perfect and as it should be.
If you haven’t read this series, you are missing out on something amazing.

[catherine jordan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This better not be the end!!!

Can't put into words how much i loved this series of books. JC is a genius I've read hundreds of books and this series are without a doubt the best I've ever read. I hope there are many more to come.

[Debra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Totally Amazing

This book is the conclusion to the Bridge & Sword series. And, it is a nail biter from beginning to end. Really got immersed into this story. Laughed a little, cried, got angry, felt relief. Highly recommend.

[Daniellela94 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow

What an ending! This book was one thrill ride after another. Loose ends were tied up nicely. Worth the wait!

[Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I have words

I will leave a better review. So much happened in the closing of this journey, it has left me emotional and speechless.

[Bridget Bamrick rogers · Rating 5 out of 5]

The End?

I loved this whole series, a woman possessed!!! I cannot believe this is the end, I need to know about the next stage in all their lives, I am obsessed 😀

[susan ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved these books I did read them all. It was hard to put them down.

[Jackie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Allie and Revik are still trying to fight and save everyone. Will they succeed. Such strong characters that will have you intrigued by every page that you turn. Absolutely can’t wait for more.

[Dawn Ireland · Rating 5 out of 5]

A powerful read. Filled with love, loss, fear, war, hate, redemption. This book was one of the best of the series. JC Andrijeski never, ever lets me down. Her writing is solid work.