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Battlecry #3
Mercury
Brother against brother. Superhero against superhero. His wife has been kidnapped, and now he must decide how far down the road of vengeance he can go.
Benjamin, codename Mercury, is a member of an elite superhero team. Jillian, his wife, has been kidnapped by his soulless brother, Beau. With her life hanging in the balance, now it’s fight or die. Beau believes Jillian knows the whereabouts of JM-104, a compound that renders superpowers worthless, and to weaken his enemies he’s determined to make her talk by any means necessary. Benjamin must risk his life to save her, and then he must destroy what’s left of the JM-104.
But it won’t be so easy. When Benjamin’s team heads after the JM-104 with a ticking clock hanging over their heads, a team of superheroes who specialize in killing other superheroes will be right there waiting for them, just as brother goes against brother with Jillian caught in the middle. In the face of overwhelming odds, will they save Jillian and destroy the biggest threat to their existence? Or will the long arm of hate reach into Benjamin’s heart and destroy everything he holds dear?
Benjamin, codename Mercury, is a member of an elite superhero team. Jillian, his wife, has been kidnapped by his soulless brother, Beau. With her life hanging in the balance, now it’s fight or die. Beau believes Jillian knows the whereabouts of JM-104, a compound that renders superpowers worthless, and to weaken his enemies he’s determined to make her talk by any means necessary. Benjamin must risk his life to save her, and then he must destroy what’s left of the JM-104.
But it won’t be so easy. When Benjamin’s team heads after the JM-104 with a ticking clock hanging over their heads, a team of superheroes who specialize in killing other superheroes will be right there waiting for them, just as brother goes against brother with Jillian caught in the middle. In the face of overwhelming odds, will they save Jillian and destroy the biggest threat to their existence? Or will the long arm of hate reach into Benjamin’s heart and destroy everything he holds dear?
- GenresUrban FantasySuperheroes
396 pages, Paperback
Published October 1, 2018
13 people are currently reading
23 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
November 27, 2018
I’ve been following Emerald Dodge’s Battlecry books since picking up “Ignite” in May. It hasn’t always been an easy ride, but I’d be lying if I claimed I hadn’t enjoyed it. Though not as strong as the first book, Mercury surpasses Sentinel in quality and engagement, and makes a decent ending for the trilogy.
After Jillian’s abduction at the end of Sentinel, Benjamin and the rest of the St. Catherine’s superhero team embark on a rescue mission, dodging hit squads and supervillains to find allies along the way. For the B-plot, fallout from the more interesting character choices in Sentinel continues to be an issue; Ember and Reid’s relationship drama competes with Jillian’s abduction for center stage.
Between chapters, Dodge inserts letters, newspaper clippings, and other ‘historical’ snippets. I kept waiting for them to tie into the plot, but while they provide some much-needed support to flesh out the world, that’s about all they do. Even though they made for interesting reading, it felt like a missed opportunity for an interesting narrative device, especially given that the dismantling of the superhero camps--a plotline that kicked into gear in the last book--gets little space in the main text.
This is, perhaps, the most conventional of the three Battlecry books. As narrator, Benjamin’s voice feels very contemporary. There are few surprises here; it’s action from start to finish, with emotional side-plots that feel like speed bumps in an otherwise well-paced book. If you were turned-off by the violence in Sentinel, be aware there’s plenty of that, too.
On the plus side, Dodge really pushes the idea that nothing good comes easy, and people don’t always get what they deserve. I also like the recognition that some endings aren’t found, but forged. None of our protagonists make it through Mercury unscathed, but there’s hope in the epilogue, and a sense of resolution.
Overall, it’s been a good story, with some scenes that will stick with me. 2.5 stars, rounding up because this was a considerable improvement over Sentinel.
After Jillian’s abduction at the end of Sentinel, Benjamin and the rest of the St. Catherine’s superhero team embark on a rescue mission, dodging hit squads and supervillains to find allies along the way. For the B-plot, fallout from the more interesting character choices in Sentinel continues to be an issue; Ember and Reid’s relationship drama competes with Jillian’s abduction for center stage.
Between chapters, Dodge inserts letters, newspaper clippings, and other ‘historical’ snippets. I kept waiting for them to tie into the plot, but while they provide some much-needed support to flesh out the world, that’s about all they do. Even though they made for interesting reading, it felt like a missed opportunity for an interesting narrative device, especially given that the dismantling of the superhero camps--a plotline that kicked into gear in the last book--gets little space in the main text.
This is, perhaps, the most conventional of the three Battlecry books. As narrator, Benjamin’s voice feels very contemporary. There are few surprises here; it’s action from start to finish, with emotional side-plots that feel like speed bumps in an otherwise well-paced book. If you were turned-off by the violence in Sentinel, be aware there’s plenty of that, too.
On the plus side, Dodge really pushes the idea that nothing good comes easy, and people don’t always get what they deserve. I also like the recognition that some endings aren’t found, but forged. None of our protagonists make it through Mercury unscathed, but there’s hope in the epilogue, and a sense of resolution.
Overall, it’s been a good story, with some scenes that will stick with me. 2.5 stars, rounding up because this was a considerable improvement over Sentinel.
August 28, 2020
Mercury
The third book in the Battlecry series was great but I am very sad to say goodbye to this special cast of characters. I would love to see a sequel where the children are the focal point of the plot but 30% focussed on the parents and their continuing story
The third book in the Battlecry series was great but I am very sad to say goodbye to this special cast of characters. I would love to see a sequel where the children are the focal point of the plot but 30% focussed on the parents and their continuing story
September 22, 2018
Mercury is the conclusion of a 3 book story arc. Benjamin now races to free his wife, Jillian, from his sadistic brother who kidnapped her for information on the whereabouts of a hidden serum. As news of the superhero compounds and the decades long habit of selling their ungifted people to human traffickers spread around the country, Jillians' short lived guarantee of no reprisal from the elders result in a strike team order to kill her team as well as another team who defended themselves against a sadistic team leader. Joining up, they fight their way to saving Jillian and to an explosive conclusion and confrontation. While we mourn the deaths of the characters that peppered this series, a cry worthy epilogue leaves the reader satisfied and loose ends tied up. I very much liked this series. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.
September 25, 2018
I love it! I've followed Emerald Dodge through the whole series and this ending was everything the very first book promised it would be. Dodge has woven a fantastic, fast-paced, edge-of-your-seat narrative that proves what it takes to be a hero. Past deeds? Hanging with the wrong crowd? Disadvantaged because of your upbringing? Prejudices? None of it matters. What matters is what a person chooses to do with what they've got. This story, told from Benjamin Trent's pov instead of Jillian's is incredibly compelling, believable, and inspiring. And the HEA made me cry in every good way. Perfect!
As far as ratings go, I'd give it a PG-13 for violence and darker themes. The language is PG to PG-13, there are no sex scenes or use of drugs (well, except for the fictional JM-104) or alcohol. Minorities are fairly represented.
As far as ratings go, I'd give it a PG-13 for violence and darker themes. The language is PG to PG-13, there are no sex scenes or use of drugs (well, except for the fictional JM-104) or alcohol. Minorities are fairly represented.
November 2, 2018
A great finale. Despite a series of heartbreaking revelations and shocking twists, there is a great sense of hope and happiness at the end that makes it all worthwhile.
December 5, 2018
Benjamin Trent has done it all. Brought up by a family of supervillains, he's escaped their evil, demented ways through sheer willpower, teamed up with a superhero team, and saved their lives on numerous occasions. But when his newlywed wife is kidnapped and an assassinating strike team threatens to take the lives of another superhero team, Benjamin must do the impossible. Become a leader.
Can Benjamin do what he never thought he was capable of doing? Can he save his wife's life and take on the strike team before it's too late?
Wow, I mean, WOW this book was great! I read a former version of this book, and the final product was an amazing experience! There were so many great twists and turns that had me speeding through those pages.
I can totally relate to each of the team members and really loved seeing them interact with a completely different set of superheroes. I'm secretly hoping for a series on the other team.
As always, the action was spot on, exhilarating, and sometimes gut-wrenching.
For sake of no spoilers, I won't ruin the ending, but I will say the last 10% of the book had me guessing til the very end. Amazing book, even more amazing author. Can't wait to read more of her works in the future.
Can Benjamin do what he never thought he was capable of doing? Can he save his wife's life and take on the strike team before it's too late?
Wow, I mean, WOW this book was great! I read a former version of this book, and the final product was an amazing experience! There were so many great twists and turns that had me speeding through those pages.
I can totally relate to each of the team members and really loved seeing them interact with a completely different set of superheroes. I'm secretly hoping for a series on the other team.
As always, the action was spot on, exhilarating, and sometimes gut-wrenching.
For sake of no spoilers, I won't ruin the ending, but I will say the last 10% of the book had me guessing til the very end. Amazing book, even more amazing author. Can't wait to read more of her works in the future.
October 1, 2018
This is an amazing story to read with strng characters and very well writen. This is book number three in the series, when I started reading this story I couldn't put it down I was enticed with this story from cover to cover. I highly recommend this story to all who love super hero stories. If you buy this story you will not be disappointed at all.
This is my honest and unbias opinion of the story.
This is my honest and unbias opinion of the story.
October 21, 2018
Great end to the series. The characters were pushed to new extremes but stayed very much in character, there were delightful surprises, a good balance between action and quiet moments that kept me turning pages, and all the loose ends tied up by the end. Thank you Emerald Dodge for such a wonderful journey!
July 24, 2020
Almost a deeper and more impactful than the first two books in this trilogy. The conclusion of all the hard work that Jillian and Benjamin have put into breaking the cult mentality. So much heartache and loss in this book as the characters have to come to terms with the changes happening. Will keep your reading and trying to see where the conclusion lies.
October 2, 2018
Emerald has written a great novel! Her characters come alive and you can feel what they are going through. You will get sucked up in the world she has built, cheering the good guy's on and the bad guys demise. Her world mimics the real world in almost every aspect, making it very easy for the reader to go, hmmm. Pick up this novel so you too can escape to Emerald's world and enjoy hours of pleasure.
October 1, 2018
Received an arc in exchange for an honest review. I loved this book. Read cover to cover because I couldn’t put it down. Characters were well written and the plot was exciting. I definitely recommend this book.
September 4, 2019
A five star series
I really enjoyed all three of these novels. I will read them all again soon . Great plot and main characters . Joy , sadness , love , hate , despair and hope .
I really enjoyed all three of these novels. I will read them all again soon . Great plot and main characters . Joy , sadness , love , hate , despair and hope .
February 24, 2024
I found this the weakest of the three. I still don't understand all the character motivations at the end, and while I understand why Dodge would want to explore a different POV, I didn't like how it came
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews