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Bixby #3
Strain of Vengeance
We had one assignment—eradicate the new threat posed by the alien parasites. And we thought we had won.
What should’ve been a joyous return home after a grueling mission has now turned into a race against time to save those we love. The Grand, our safe haven, has been invaded. Our people either dead or kidnapped.
Left heartbroken, our nightmare never seems to end. But I’m Bixby, and I refuse to let the invaders win. None of us are willing to give up until we have everyone we've lost back safe. But can our people trust us to come to their rescue when we can't even trust each other?
Luke and Sam. Sam and Luke. So many lies. So many cover ups. So much pain.
One of them will be my salvation. The other my downfall.
What should’ve been a joyous return home after a grueling mission has now turned into a race against time to save those we love. The Grand, our safe haven, has been invaded. Our people either dead or kidnapped.
Left heartbroken, our nightmare never seems to end. But I’m Bixby, and I refuse to let the invaders win. None of us are willing to give up until we have everyone we've lost back safe. But can our people trust us to come to their rescue when we can't even trust each other?
Luke and Sam. Sam and Luke. So many lies. So many cover ups. So much pain.
One of them will be my salvation. The other my downfall.
246 pages, ebook
Published October 2, 2018
18 people are currently reading
28 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
September 29, 2018
4.5 stars
What a journey!
This time around we are following the magnificent Bix and the gang as they go after their people from the Grand, and discover more than they bargained for in the process - including so many discoveries about the leeches and the invasion.
I spent almost the entire book filled with tension and fear (I’ll be honest these books scare me - the hybrids scare the living shit out of me). But this book out of all the others is just so intense and monumental. So many answers to so many questions, some of which we never knew to wonder. So much more to add to Bix’s story. And now my brain is broken. Oh and I may have cried...several times.
What can I say the characters in these books are excellent, with such strong chemistry (Luke and Bix? Wow!) and funny banter. Bix herself is pure literary gold. There is a bit of Sam and Bix...or Luke and Bix...or Sam...or Luke? I don’t like love triangles but I could handle it for the most part in this book (still repping #teamlukeforever). The world building is excellent - maybe too good if you would’ve seen me going outside at night with leeches on the brain!
And the writing is fabulous, flowing through page after page. It’s completely addictive.
Holy shit and the ending! Arrgghhhhhhh!!
There’s a few twists and turns in there I didn’t see coming, a barrage of information I was desperate for, and an epilogue that had me thinking this might not be the end of this series....?!
I hope not anyway....
Read.This.ASAP
Warning: Don’t start this book until you have some free time, because once you start you will lose all sense of time!
What a journey!
This time around we are following the magnificent Bix and the gang as they go after their people from the Grand, and discover more than they bargained for in the process - including so many discoveries about the leeches and the invasion.
I spent almost the entire book filled with tension and fear (I’ll be honest these books scare me - the hybrids scare the living shit out of me). But this book out of all the others is just so intense and monumental. So many answers to so many questions, some of which we never knew to wonder. So much more to add to Bix’s story. And now my brain is broken. Oh and I may have cried...several times.
What can I say the characters in these books are excellent, with such strong chemistry (Luke and Bix? Wow!) and funny banter. Bix herself is pure literary gold. There is a bit of Sam and Bix...or Luke and Bix...or Sam...or Luke? I don’t like love triangles but I could handle it for the most part in this book (still repping #teamlukeforever). The world building is excellent - maybe too good if you would’ve seen me going outside at night with leeches on the brain!
And the writing is fabulous, flowing through page after page. It’s completely addictive.
Holy shit and the ending! Arrgghhhhhhh!!
There’s a few twists and turns in there I didn’t see coming, a barrage of information I was desperate for, and an epilogue that had me thinking this might not be the end of this series....?!
I hope not anyway....
Read.This.ASAP
Warning: Don’t start this book until you have some free time, because once you start you will lose all sense of time!
April 7, 2019
What an emotional, suspense filled ride! I can't believe the series is . over - or by that epilogue, is it?
I was gifted the third book in Bixby's series: Strain of Vengeance for an honest review and I can say that this is the best series I have read in a while. It had it all - romance, suspense, horror, alien apocalypse. It was amazing.
Bix and unit four are on a mission to rescue the survivors from the Grand after it was attacked by ravengers. It's a hard journey with them carrying their grief from the death of loved ones, Sam's strange behaviour, Amy's strange ability to understand the hybrids and A queen hybrid to hunt.
After more loss, more close calls and a rollercoaster of emotions Michelle Bryan nearly killed me as I started to read the final chapter. After everything Bix has gone through I was torn between being desperate to find out who, if either, had survived or leaving it there and being blissfully ignorant and in complete denial! Of course I couldn't not read it, and this final chapter is misleading until the end so read on as its not what you first think!
Thank you, Michelle, for an amazing series and please, please release more soon. I love your books!
I was gifted the third book in Bixby's series: Strain of Vengeance for an honest review and I can say that this is the best series I have read in a while. It had it all - romance, suspense, horror, alien apocalypse. It was amazing.
Bix and unit four are on a mission to rescue the survivors from the Grand after it was attacked by ravengers. It's a hard journey with them carrying their grief from the death of loved ones, Sam's strange behaviour, Amy's strange ability to understand the hybrids and A queen hybrid to hunt.
After more loss, more close calls and a rollercoaster of emotions Michelle Bryan nearly killed me as I started to read the final chapter. After everything Bix has gone through I was torn between being desperate to find out who, if either, had survived or leaving it there and being blissfully ignorant and in complete denial! Of course I couldn't not read it, and this final chapter is misleading until the end so read on as its not what you first think!
Thank you, Michelle, for an amazing series and please, please release more soon. I love your books!
September 17, 2018
Excellent! This third installment had me on edge the whole time! Bix and the team are going after their people taken from the Grand after it was ravaged and dealing with the loss of some. Luke and Bix...Sam and Bix.... Sam is back but is he really? Loved this one. Love the side characters and the sense of humor in dark moments. Loved this series!
April 20, 2019
Oh no! I have finished reading this and I no longer know what to do with my life. “Strain of Vengeance” is the last chapter in the Bixby series and I was on edge the entire time. The story is about Emma Bixby, and if you do not already know from the previous books, is a very stubborn, but bad ass chick with good intentions. Her crew and her set out to look for survivors from her colony and along the way she struggles with her feelings for her former, lost boyfriend Sam, and her new boyfriend, Luke. I must admit that the author, Michelle Bryan, really had me going back and forth between the two heart-throbs. I wasn’t sure if I was fully on Team Luke or Team Sam until the very end. If you are looking for leech fights, love and mysteries then this book is the one for you. Heck, the whole series is for you and you must read it…NOW!
April 24, 2019
3.5 stars
This was a good book. I appreciated how he love triangle was not an obnoxious triangle. The answer wasn’t obvious and Bixby didn’t purposely put herself in the situation.
All the characters had fantastic development. Gordon was my little brother, Luke was my protector, and Sam was my best friend. Though, Bixby got on my nerves a little. She does handle emotions well and it made her annoying. The story was rushed, but it does seem to drag on a little. I took my time reading it, but I wasn’t “hooked” per se.
The author did a wonderful job with Unit Four. The sometimes reminded me of Suicde Squad. The are the top dogs. We traveled all emotions with them from laughter to sadness. I lost appreciated how the author wasn’t afraid to take chances with the story and character. I am happy to see the series end and it has been a wild journey.
Beware, the book does end on a clifffhanger!
I received this book free from the author in exchange for an honest review.
This was a good book. I appreciated how he love triangle was not an obnoxious triangle. The answer wasn’t obvious and Bixby didn’t purposely put herself in the situation.
All the characters had fantastic development. Gordon was my little brother, Luke was my protector, and Sam was my best friend. Though, Bixby got on my nerves a little. She does handle emotions well and it made her annoying. The story was rushed, but it does seem to drag on a little. I took my time reading it, but I wasn’t “hooked” per se.
The author did a wonderful job with Unit Four. The sometimes reminded me of Suicde Squad. The are the top dogs. We traveled all emotions with them from laughter to sadness. I lost appreciated how the author wasn’t afraid to take chances with the story and character. I am happy to see the series end and it has been a wild journey.
Beware, the book does end on a clifffhanger!
I received this book free from the author in exchange for an honest review.
January 27, 2026
I couldn't reccomend this series more.
Post-apocalyptic, sci-fi, action and the added complications of a love triangle had me reading late into the night for a week!
I've long been an avid readers and have read hundreds of books but this is one of the few I know I won't forget, the characters especially I felt so attached to and every one was so clearly distinguished and recognisable by just a name.
The ending had me gasping and crossing my fingers for the outcome I wanted, yet still made me tear up as even though I got my wish it still hurt to read the outcome.
I honestly feel so sad to have finished this series and I'm desperate for more!
Post-apocalyptic, sci-fi, action and the added complications of a love triangle had me reading late into the night for a week!
I've long been an avid readers and have read hundreds of books but this is one of the few I know I won't forget, the characters especially I felt so attached to and every one was so clearly distinguished and recognisable by just a name.
The ending had me gasping and crossing my fingers for the outcome I wanted, yet still made me tear up as even though I got my wish it still hurt to read the outcome.
I honestly feel so sad to have finished this series and I'm desperate for more!
January 8, 2019
I am so sad this series has come to a end. What a great series to read. I never have read about aliens I prefer zombies but wow this author knows what she is doing. The whole series was so well written. Nothing was held back the violence and the gore but also the way she was able to make me feel like I was in this story. I even cried at the end.
May 28, 2021
Ahhh-mazing. Amazing ending. There's tension throughout this book, like edge of your seat the entire time. I was uneasy through the whole series (in a good way), and this book did not disappoint with it's action and conclusion. So well done, so well written. I'm an official fan!! Go read this series right now!
December 22, 2018
Strain of Vengeance
Okay....so I loved this book too!! I cannot wait to see where else this story will take us...based on the ending. Definitely recommend you go back to book 1 and start reading. Oh, and clear your calendar because it’s an addictive read lol 😂
Okay....so I loved this book too!! I cannot wait to see where else this story will take us...based on the ending. Definitely recommend you go back to book 1 and start reading. Oh, and clear your calendar because it’s an addictive read lol 😂
January 7, 2024
"Strain of Vengeance" was the perfect conclusion to Bixby's series. I quite like how she isn't perfect at all throughout this series, and her bad personality traits are even called out at times. It makes me appreciate the good in her even more. I especially loved the action throughout this entire series; some scenes almost took me there, and made it very easy to watch it all unfold before me... I'm definitely a fan of this series, even though it's not the kind of thing I usually read.
March 22, 2021
Wow. Couldn't put it down. I cried so hard towards the end I was really hoping and shouting at Bixby to love Luke to choose him. Wow.
May 21, 2020
Absolutely loved the entire series, but that end....that was pretty rough. I did some ugly crying.
May 2, 2020
So good.
I loved this series. Such a great story that keeps you reading through till the end. Bixby is such a strong character and the supporting characters are just as strong.
I loved this series. Such a great story that keeps you reading through till the end. Bixby is such a strong character and the supporting characters are just as strong.
October 2, 2018
I received an eARC of this book from the author. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of this review.
What a ride!!!! Strain of Vengeance by Michelle Bryan is the final book in the Bixby Series and I couldn’t be more pleased. My emotions were everywhere reading this book, and Bryan kept me on the edge of my seat, holding my breath til the very last page. Picking up just a few days after the end of Strain of Defiance, Bixby and the survivors from the Grand are now on a desperate search and rescue mission to find those who were taken.
Sam, Luke, and Bixby
Love triangles…..I have a love-hate relationship with them. Yet it works in this series. Bixby is in love with two men. She can willingly admit it to herself. She thought Sam was dead. She grieved and was ready to move on. And she does with Luke. Luke is a perfect opposite to the crass Bixby. He centers and grounds her, forces her to feel again, and loves her fiercely even when she’s mean to him. He sees her unlike anyone else. Can you tell who I root for? 😉
When Sam reappears, alive and….well he’s not exactly good, Bixby is hopelessly confused. Her heart loves both men, but her head says she should love Sam. He was her first everything. But while Sam was missing, he was subjected to the aliens and no one knows the consequences of that.
This entire triangle was set up in book 2 and touched on, but Bixby really confronts it during this book. Facing up to the fact that she loves both men, and is ready to make a decision. As a reader, it is pretty clear early on who she is going to choose which ramps up the angst surrounding these characters. My heart physically ached for all involved.
The End?
In this final installment of the series, Bixby and her crew (which has grown to include Sam and other characters they met at the farm and research facility) are on a final mission: Find the hive, destroy the queen bee….erhm alien. I LOVE the world-building here. Each book in the series as Bixby and the other characters learn about these parasites that infected their world, we the reader learn as well. Bryan introduces and evolves these aliens at every plot point and encounter. I LOVE it!!!
And the suspense?! Holy guacamole!!! I was on the edge of seat and holding my breath a majority of the time I was reading. I couldn’t get the pages on my Kindle to turn fast enough. Between the fast pace and the suspense of the hybrids/aliens hunting the characters, I’m surprised my heart didn’t just give out.
And that ending?!?!
My Conclusion
I have loved every book in the Bixby Series, but I think that Strain of Vengeance is my favorite of the three. Bixby and her crew have come full circle. The post-apocalyptic world is on the edge of dying and the characters are focused on surviving. And that ending?! Have I already mentioned it 😉 Seriously though, it is perfection. I was crying, then squealing, then cursing….all in the span of like 10 minutes. My poor husband was quite concerned for my mental wellbeing 😂 Overall, I give this 10 stars!!!! If you are a fan of the series OR you haven’t started it yet, now is the time to do so. I highly recommend this to anyone that enjoys post-apocalyptic sci-fi.
What a ride!!!! Strain of Vengeance by Michelle Bryan is the final book in the Bixby Series and I couldn’t be more pleased. My emotions were everywhere reading this book, and Bryan kept me on the edge of my seat, holding my breath til the very last page. Picking up just a few days after the end of Strain of Defiance, Bixby and the survivors from the Grand are now on a desperate search and rescue mission to find those who were taken.
Sam, Luke, and Bixby
Love triangles…..I have a love-hate relationship with them. Yet it works in this series. Bixby is in love with two men. She can willingly admit it to herself. She thought Sam was dead. She grieved and was ready to move on. And she does with Luke. Luke is a perfect opposite to the crass Bixby. He centers and grounds her, forces her to feel again, and loves her fiercely even when she’s mean to him. He sees her unlike anyone else. Can you tell who I root for? 😉
When Sam reappears, alive and….well he’s not exactly good, Bixby is hopelessly confused. Her heart loves both men, but her head says she should love Sam. He was her first everything. But while Sam was missing, he was subjected to the aliens and no one knows the consequences of that.
This entire triangle was set up in book 2 and touched on, but Bixby really confronts it during this book. Facing up to the fact that she loves both men, and is ready to make a decision. As a reader, it is pretty clear early on who she is going to choose which ramps up the angst surrounding these characters. My heart physically ached for all involved.
The End?
In this final installment of the series, Bixby and her crew (which has grown to include Sam and other characters they met at the farm and research facility) are on a final mission: Find the hive, destroy the queen bee….erhm alien. I LOVE the world-building here. Each book in the series as Bixby and the other characters learn about these parasites that infected their world, we the reader learn as well. Bryan introduces and evolves these aliens at every plot point and encounter. I LOVE it!!!
And the suspense?! Holy guacamole!!! I was on the edge of seat and holding my breath a majority of the time I was reading. I couldn’t get the pages on my Kindle to turn fast enough. Between the fast pace and the suspense of the hybrids/aliens hunting the characters, I’m surprised my heart didn’t just give out.
And that ending?!?!
My Conclusion
I have loved every book in the Bixby Series, but I think that Strain of Vengeance is my favorite of the three. Bixby and her crew have come full circle. The post-apocalyptic world is on the edge of dying and the characters are focused on surviving. And that ending?! Have I already mentioned it 😉 Seriously though, it is perfection. I was crying, then squealing, then cursing….all in the span of like 10 minutes. My poor husband was quite concerned for my mental wellbeing 😂 Overall, I give this 10 stars!!!! If you are a fan of the series OR you haven’t started it yet, now is the time to do so. I highly recommend this to anyone that enjoys post-apocalyptic sci-fi.
October 27, 2018
After returning to the Grand and finding their home had been invaded and their people either kidnapped or dead Bixby is determined to find her friends or die trying.
Bixby thought that her first love Sam was dead so she continued on with her life and loving again. Bixby and Luke are now together but their relationship is compromised when Sam comes back into their lives. But Sam is not the same person who went missing and presumed dead. Can Sam be trusted? Who is this new Sam? What is Sam?
Bixby and Luke get word of where their friends are being held. Can they get to them in time to save them? During the rescue they have to fight leeches.
Bixby, Luke and Sam need to find the location of the hive and destroy the queen bee to save their world. Can they find the hive? Can they destroy the queen bee before it is too late?
The Bixby series is just amazing and out of this world great. I can’t get enough of it. The world and the characters get better and better with each book. After reading Strain of Vengeance I think I would now have to say that Strain of Vengeance is probably my favorite.
Strain of Vengeance is so engrossing and attaches itself to you right from the first page. There is action and suspense on almost every page. There is enough alien blood and gore to keep you enthralled throughout the whole book.
I loved the banter between all the characters especially Luke and Gordo. Stain of Vengeance had me laughing one minute and on the verge of tears the next. One thing about it though it kept the adrenaline pumping. And let me tell you that ending was not one that I was expecting but it was quite amazing. I hope this is not the last that we see of these characters or this world.
I have been looking for a book and movie with this world building for long time and I found it in the Bixby series. The Bixby series reminds me so much of The Walking Dead, Falling Skies and Stephen King’s Dreamcatcher. If you like these shows then you will fall in love with the Bixby series.
Bixby thought that her first love Sam was dead so she continued on with her life and loving again. Bixby and Luke are now together but their relationship is compromised when Sam comes back into their lives. But Sam is not the same person who went missing and presumed dead. Can Sam be trusted? Who is this new Sam? What is Sam?
Bixby and Luke get word of where their friends are being held. Can they get to them in time to save them? During the rescue they have to fight leeches.
Bixby, Luke and Sam need to find the location of the hive and destroy the queen bee to save their world. Can they find the hive? Can they destroy the queen bee before it is too late?
The Bixby series is just amazing and out of this world great. I can’t get enough of it. The world and the characters get better and better with each book. After reading Strain of Vengeance I think I would now have to say that Strain of Vengeance is probably my favorite.
Strain of Vengeance is so engrossing and attaches itself to you right from the first page. There is action and suspense on almost every page. There is enough alien blood and gore to keep you enthralled throughout the whole book.
I loved the banter between all the characters especially Luke and Gordo. Stain of Vengeance had me laughing one minute and on the verge of tears the next. One thing about it though it kept the adrenaline pumping. And let me tell you that ending was not one that I was expecting but it was quite amazing. I hope this is not the last that we see of these characters or this world.
I have been looking for a book and movie with this world building for long time and I found it in the Bixby series. The Bixby series reminds me so much of The Walking Dead, Falling Skies and Stephen King’s Dreamcatcher. If you like these shows then you will fall in love with the Bixby series.
October 17, 2018
Amazing
Wow!!! When I thought a third book could not possibly be as good as the first 2. I was wrong this stories moves right along, with twists and turns, that keep you guessing.. I love all the characters in this story.. cant wait for the next book. I highly recommend this series ❤...
Wow!!! When I thought a third book could not possibly be as good as the first 2. I was wrong this stories moves right along, with twists and turns, that keep you guessing.. I love all the characters in this story.. cant wait for the next book. I highly recommend this series ❤...
October 2, 2018
OMG.
Heartwrenching. I won't lie, i cried at a point. The plot thickens, and Michelle really keeps the twists and turns coming at you in this 3rd piece. But your world will be shattered near the end!
Heartwrenching. I won't lie, i cried at a point. The plot thickens, and Michelle really keeps the twists and turns coming at you in this 3rd piece. But your world will be shattered near the end!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 9, 2026
Strain of Vengeance by Michelle Bryan delivers a fast-moving mix of sci-fi action, emotional conflict, and survival stakes.
What stands out is the balance between the external threat and the personal tension within the group. The alien parasite storyline keeps the pressure high, while the fractured trust between the characters adds emotional weight to the story.
Bixby’s determination gives the book strong momentum, especially as the mission shifts from victory to desperate rescue and survival.
A strong pick for readers who enjoy character-driven sci-fi with alien threats, emotional drama, and high-stakes action.
What stands out is the balance between the external threat and the personal tension within the group. The alien parasite storyline keeps the pressure high, while the fractured trust between the characters adds emotional weight to the story.
Bixby’s determination gives the book strong momentum, especially as the mission shifts from victory to desperate rescue and survival.
A strong pick for readers who enjoy character-driven sci-fi with alien threats, emotional drama, and high-stakes action.
September 15, 2018
This new book in the Bixby series is better than I could've imagined. Bix is going after her friends who've been taken, but not everything is at it seems. She has Sam back, yet something isn't right with him.
And then there's Luke... swoon.
My favorite parts of this story were scenes between Bix and Luke. They have such great chemistry and a lot of humor. I was really sad to see this story end but it did so in spectacular fashion. Michelle Bryan is one of my favorite authors because she never lets me down.
And then there's Luke... swoon.
My favorite parts of this story were scenes between Bix and Luke. They have such great chemistry and a lot of humor. I was really sad to see this story end but it did so in spectacular fashion. Michelle Bryan is one of my favorite authors because she never lets me down.
February 16, 2020
Good worth the read
I really liked how different the apocalypse happened in this series. The hospital and hotel being the key operating centers was different and good too. The details of the bad guys and the aliens was just enough to scare me as I read.
I really liked how different the apocalypse happened in this series. The hospital and hotel being the key operating centers was different and good too. The details of the bad guys and the aliens was just enough to scare me as I read.
March 17, 2023
good apocalypse
I’ve enjoyed the series from the start. The more I read the more it got better. Sadly there isn’t a book three to see how the ending plays out.
I’ve enjoyed the series from the start. The more I read the more it got better. Sadly there isn’t a book three to see how the ending plays out.
December 11, 2023
This was a refreshingly different slant on the Zombie genre.Great characterisation and some brilliant banter and put downs amongst the team. Smashing ending an action packed yarn.
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