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Into the Dead Fall #4
Chimera's Gift
The chimera is a mystery that baffles the residents of New Omni—when his attitude isn’t making them want to kill him.
Even as a gladiator champion with many battles under his belt, the chimera finds the Dead Fall to be a challenge, so when the four-armed fire-warrior, Tak, saves his life, the shapeshifting chimera attempts to socialize, but his arrogance leaves the easygoing Tak in a fury with his thoughtless words.
Desperate for answers to understand how a mated male thinks, he seeks out Alice, Tak’s intriguing mate, while in his serpent form, and inadvertently discovers that Alice has secrets of her own. Secrets she must keep to protect her family.
The chimera and Alice enter into an uneasy bargain while he holds his silence, but he isn’t happy about the price of that silence on Alice and her mates. As he spends more time with Alice and experiences feelings for her that he’s never had before, it becomes a struggle for him to keep her secret, and he can’t help offering a solution—one that will cost him instead.
One that might cost his life.
Author’s Note: 18+ This is a steamy science-fiction alien romance with a reverse harem and ménage. Strong sexual content and some violence. No cheating, all parties are in agreement.
Even as a gladiator champion with many battles under his belt, the chimera finds the Dead Fall to be a challenge, so when the four-armed fire-warrior, Tak, saves his life, the shapeshifting chimera attempts to socialize, but his arrogance leaves the easygoing Tak in a fury with his thoughtless words.
Desperate for answers to understand how a mated male thinks, he seeks out Alice, Tak’s intriguing mate, while in his serpent form, and inadvertently discovers that Alice has secrets of her own. Secrets she must keep to protect her family.
The chimera and Alice enter into an uneasy bargain while he holds his silence, but he isn’t happy about the price of that silence on Alice and her mates. As he spends more time with Alice and experiences feelings for her that he’s never had before, it becomes a struggle for him to keep her secret, and he can’t help offering a solution—one that will cost him instead.
One that might cost his life.
Author’s Note: 18+ This is a steamy science-fiction alien romance with a reverse harem and ménage. Strong sexual content and some violence. No cheating, all parties are in agreement.
330 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 23, 2019
200 people are currently reading
137 people want to read
About the author
Susan Trombley
32 books845 followersBorn a dragon, but forced to take human form to fit into those little baby carriers, Susan accepted that she'd have to live a mortal life. She just wasn't going to go around being all boring about it. As soon as she was old enough, she immediately applied for an alien abduction, but got wait-listed, so she made her lair in the desert to wait out the coming zombie apocalypse with a pair of magical cats (they can appear underfoot in an instant, usually at the steps) and the dog from Hades that has three heads (and now has three bodies to go with them).
When the white knight came to fight the dragon, Susan liked him so much she decided to marry him and they now have a beautiful little dragonlet. (Who looks just like a little girl unless you use a magic mirror)
Fortunately, despite being trapped in this dimension, Susan uses her dragon's vision to see all the most interesting goings-on in the multiverse. Figuring they made great stories, she decided to share them with the rest of the mortal world, by writing fantasy, science fiction and romance.
When the white knight came to fight the dragon, Susan liked him so much she decided to marry him and they now have a beautiful little dragonlet. (Who looks just like a little girl unless you use a magic mirror)
Fortunately, despite being trapped in this dimension, Susan uses her dragon's vision to see all the most interesting goings-on in the multiverse. Figuring they made great stories, she decided to share them with the rest of the mortal world, by writing fantasy, science fiction and romance.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews
May 27, 2021
This is book 4 of the Dead Fall series and like Book 1, it deals with Alice, Tak and Iyaren.
Book 1 was not my favorite book in the series because Alice is dull and tedious and I personally felt that Iyaren and Tak had more chemistry with each other than either of them had with her.
That statement is still true. Unfortunately, Tak and Iyaren also proved to have more chemistry and history with Kisk, the Chimera.
Alice is dull and tedious (she wants another child. That's fine as a life goal, but if you're in an apocalyptic alien world with two mates?? So boring).
The plot centers on what Alice wants and how she gets it, so it's also dull and tedious.
I think Book 5 will be a lot better. Too bad I feel so meh about Alice.
Book 1 was not my favorite book in the series because Alice is dull and tedious and I personally felt that Iyaren and Tak had more chemistry with each other than either of them had with her.
That statement is still true. Unfortunately, Tak and Iyaren also proved to have more chemistry and history with Kisk, the Chimera.
Alice is dull and tedious (she wants another child. That's fine as a life goal, but if you're in an apocalyptic alien world with two mates?? So boring).
The plot centers on what Alice wants and how she gets it, so it's also dull and tedious.
I think Book 5 will be a lot better. Too bad I feel so meh about Alice.
May 25, 2019
All that remains the same is change
Alice has her fire lizard and her lion. She has her adorable little ambulatory arsonist, too. Her life is complete. And yet it's not. She lost something dear to her and her mates. She lost a child. Her pregnancy wasn't to be and it devastated them all. Tak clutched Friak, Iyaren withdrew, and Alice barely kept her sanity. Holding her family together is taking everything from her but she's afraid to let go because who, then, will hold them all together? Meanwhile, a being that is change personified, is waking from thousands of years of limbo. His gift is the one thing that could shake the foundation of her family, but it comes with a cost. Kisk only knows battle and sees Alice as weak. Why should he bestow such a gift to such weakness? But, sometimes strength isn't about fighting skill. Sometimes it's about what you can endure and still love and live.
Spoilers ahead!
Oh, this one redeemed the series after book 3. Three wasn't bad, but I feel bad for Sarge and her minotaur. Their story was so abrupt compared to Alice's and Evie's. The chimera, though? Omni got its groove back. When Susan said a sister was adding to her family, I figured Evie. Evie is more open to accepting more mates, and Doshak is looking for more nest mates as he misses his brothers. Alice adding another surprised me. And yet is was perfect. Alice is still shy. She still has hangups. Being mated and a mother have enriched her life but haven't completed it. Happiness isn't always a goal, sometimes it's a journey that never ends but is enjoyed for the path it takes you on. Kisk is a heartbreaking character. He doesn't realize it, most of the others don't either. Even Alice overlooked it at first, because he's so obnoxious. But if you lived for 10k years with your only visitors being those who came bearing armies to challenge your strength, well, life is not good. Then, you're snatched from that to a world where the only outlet is an arena full of hopeless males? Fighting to fighting, only the scenery changed. Keeping distance is a necessity. But Tak extending his odd and humorous friendship, and Iyaren taking him on as a soldier to train, Friak and Sarken and the squirmies (omg, that was so hilarious) seeing him as another new family member? Wrenching. He learns to listen, to more than exist, and that might doesn't equal strength. His character growth isn't fast, but it's deep and wonderful. I will admit, I was kind of hoping for chains to be broken. Not spoiling that one completely, just understand that I really hope a certain situation really changes for Kisk in the future. And as much as I'd like to see Doshak get the nest brothers he longs for, there are some ladies running amok in Omni and a cadre of lonely males staring at a line of fencing and guards that have some stories to tell, too. Although, that last bit, with a certain arch nemesis and a new player that has something to do with the ancillas past, Grey's withdrawal and his ability to see the Flux, well, maybe Evie will get a revisit before the Tales of Omni move on. Who knows? But I'm definitely hoping for a short story with some POV from Evie, Grey and Doshak on the squirmies lmao. Grey's people don't breed, they clone. Doshak's go through evolutions, but the males aren't involved. Evie is not used to seeing humanoids in such a state and her backup crew is as confused as she is. Ha! This is going to be good.
Alice has her fire lizard and her lion. She has her adorable little ambulatory arsonist, too. Her life is complete. And yet it's not. She lost something dear to her and her mates. She lost a child. Her pregnancy wasn't to be and it devastated them all. Tak clutched Friak, Iyaren withdrew, and Alice barely kept her sanity. Holding her family together is taking everything from her but she's afraid to let go because who, then, will hold them all together? Meanwhile, a being that is change personified, is waking from thousands of years of limbo. His gift is the one thing that could shake the foundation of her family, but it comes with a cost. Kisk only knows battle and sees Alice as weak. Why should he bestow such a gift to such weakness? But, sometimes strength isn't about fighting skill. Sometimes it's about what you can endure and still love and live.
Spoilers ahead!
Oh, this one redeemed the series after book 3. Three wasn't bad, but I feel bad for Sarge and her minotaur. Their story was so abrupt compared to Alice's and Evie's. The chimera, though? Omni got its groove back. When Susan said a sister was adding to her family, I figured Evie. Evie is more open to accepting more mates, and Doshak is looking for more nest mates as he misses his brothers. Alice adding another surprised me. And yet is was perfect. Alice is still shy. She still has hangups. Being mated and a mother have enriched her life but haven't completed it. Happiness isn't always a goal, sometimes it's a journey that never ends but is enjoyed for the path it takes you on. Kisk is a heartbreaking character. He doesn't realize it, most of the others don't either. Even Alice overlooked it at first, because he's so obnoxious. But if you lived for 10k years with your only visitors being those who came bearing armies to challenge your strength, well, life is not good. Then, you're snatched from that to a world where the only outlet is an arena full of hopeless males? Fighting to fighting, only the scenery changed. Keeping distance is a necessity. But Tak extending his odd and humorous friendship, and Iyaren taking him on as a soldier to train, Friak and Sarken and the squirmies (omg, that was so hilarious) seeing him as another new family member? Wrenching. He learns to listen, to more than exist, and that might doesn't equal strength. His character growth isn't fast, but it's deep and wonderful. I will admit, I was kind of hoping for chains to be broken. Not spoiling that one completely, just understand that I really hope a certain situation really changes for Kisk in the future. And as much as I'd like to see Doshak get the nest brothers he longs for, there are some ladies running amok in Omni and a cadre of lonely males staring at a line of fencing and guards that have some stories to tell, too. Although, that last bit, with a certain arch nemesis and a new player that has something to do with the ancillas past, Grey's withdrawal and his ability to see the Flux, well, maybe Evie will get a revisit before the Tales of Omni move on. Who knows? But I'm definitely hoping for a short story with some POV from Evie, Grey and Doshak on the squirmies lmao. Grey's people don't breed, they clone. Doshak's go through evolutions, but the males aren't involved. Evie is not used to seeing humanoids in such a state and her backup crew is as confused as she is. Ha! This is going to be good.
June 10, 2019
It wasn't very enjoyable to read and that sucks to say because I usually love this author.
I really loved what Kisk became, however this whole book was about Alice being neglectful to the family she has and freaking out that she wants more children and isn't sure if she'll ever be able to have them.
I really loved what Kisk became, however this whole book was about Alice being neglectful to the family she has and freaking out that she wants more children and isn't sure if she'll ever be able to have them.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 3, 2019
Least favorite
I liked Kisk but Alice was difficult to take. Her grief was real but her sensitivity was irritating and so was hoarding her sadness.
While it was nice to see the progress in the new settlement, it dragged on and I even skimmed a bit.
Read in KU, menage
I liked Kisk but Alice was difficult to take. Her grief was real but her sensitivity was irritating and so was hoarding her sadness.
While it was nice to see the progress in the new settlement, it dragged on and I even skimmed a bit.
Read in KU, menage
June 11, 2019
Change for the better
First off I'm glad this author stuck to her original path for these characters and their personalities. I personally like that we get to see a huge personal development happen with Kisk, and even when he's grumbly and rude there's still something likable about the purity and honesty in that attitude. Because it doesn't feel like that attitude is meant maliciously or as a way to spread emotion fueled lies, it just is and it's not sugar coated and I liked it. Now while you definitely need to read the First story of Alice and her mates this one for me just added to the beauty of their story through both happy and painful changes. B but for me the changes that come from Kisk's addition to their family really help deepen their bond, and enrich their lives in a new and wonderful way. We also see both new and old enemies arise in this book and while they were waylaid for now we can't help but wonder exactly what they are plotting against New Omni. And new omni is almost a character itself even though it's just a place there is so much detail and the author is really take her time to fill it out and rude it up like a new culture derived from many. And the romance is hot, I'm all about poly relationships having no closed doors and we get more of that feel in this story and it's hot. But while this story is filled with a love, passion, adventures, struggles and a happy for now ending; she also addressed a heartbreaking situation delicately but realistically and I appreciated it even if it made me want to cry for our characters. I can't wait to see what's next for this story, I can't wait to see all these babies grow up, if anything is done with the knowledge gained in Krisk's temple, & I kind of also hope we get at least 1 more new human female. Maybe a human from a different dimension whose magical or something could be interesting. But either way this author has beautifully and fully developed this story and world & I'll patiently wait for whatever new and wonderful adventures she takes us on through the dead fall next. Great book (especially if you love sci-fi and romance with aliens that are alien) would recommend.
First off I'm glad this author stuck to her original path for these characters and their personalities. I personally like that we get to see a huge personal development happen with Kisk, and even when he's grumbly and rude there's still something likable about the purity and honesty in that attitude. Because it doesn't feel like that attitude is meant maliciously or as a way to spread emotion fueled lies, it just is and it's not sugar coated and I liked it. Now while you definitely need to read the First story of Alice and her mates this one for me just added to the beauty of their story through both happy and painful changes. B but for me the changes that come from Kisk's addition to their family really help deepen their bond, and enrich their lives in a new and wonderful way. We also see both new and old enemies arise in this book and while they were waylaid for now we can't help but wonder exactly what they are plotting against New Omni. And new omni is almost a character itself even though it's just a place there is so much detail and the author is really take her time to fill it out and rude it up like a new culture derived from many. And the romance is hot, I'm all about poly relationships having no closed doors and we get more of that feel in this story and it's hot. But while this story is filled with a love, passion, adventures, struggles and a happy for now ending; she also addressed a heartbreaking situation delicately but realistically and I appreciated it even if it made me want to cry for our characters. I can't wait to see what's next for this story, I can't wait to see all these babies grow up, if anything is done with the knowledge gained in Krisk's temple, & I kind of also hope we get at least 1 more new human female. Maybe a human from a different dimension whose magical or something could be interesting. But either way this author has beautifully and fully developed this story and world & I'll patiently wait for whatever new and wonderful adventures she takes us on through the dead fall next. Great book (especially if you love sci-fi and romance with aliens that are alien) would recommend.
June 2, 2019
This series has me captivated, and I was eagerly expecting this book release because:
1 Science fiction
2 Susan Trombley
3 Reverse Harem
This book brings us back the characters from book one (Alice and her four-armed alien mates, Tak and Iyaren) and their family situation, tainted by their failure to conceive more children (they have a little one fathered by Tak).
We get to meet again the Chimera, Kisk, who is introduced as an aloof, asocial character, incapable of maintaining a civil relationship with anyone in New Omni; he's unkept, surly, and he can't speak to others without offending them...I liked him from the start, he was so obnoxious that I found him endearing; IMO having no filter can be refreshing sometimes, and you could also feel his loneliness, so it made me feel empathy for him. The author mentioned how she took a risk with Kisk, because he had all the "virtues" to make him be unlikeable, but this author does have a talent for character development. Emotions have a big part in this series (there is despair, terrible loneliness, rage, jealousy, hatred), but there are reasons behind them, and as reader you get to understand those reasons and relate to them.
I love that the female characters are strong, each in their own way; nowadays, strong female characters sometimes feel like too masculine and IMO that is a mistake; women can be strong without emulating men, we don't have to always be "hard asses" to be strong. Alice is a nurturing woman, protective and fierce, but she's no warrior and she feels guilty for what she believes is weakness; I loved she's plus sized, and being the opposite of the ideal female model in Western culture, she is considered a goddess by her mates (they don't have a preconception of what a beautiful human woman must look like).
As Reverse Harem goes, there is little "action" practically until about 75% of the book, so the burn is slow, slow...I'm not a fan of slow burn stories, if I buy a reverse harem, I expect it to be hot, and I hate it because I love this series so much, so that's why I'm rating it with 4 stars. I would have enjoyed more if the joining of the MCs hadn't dragged on so much, and would have liked reading about them being together for longer than that, because I also felt so bad about Kisk being so lonely. So if you are looking for a smutty story, this is not it.
That said, Ms Trombley is a wonderful writer, and The Dead Fall is a enthralling world, full of fascinating aliens with ever-changing stories, it makes your imagination fly. It's better if you read the books in order, though, to better understand events and the bigger story arc. Also, if you are looking for aliens looking like aliens, this may be a book for you.
1 Science fiction
2 Susan Trombley
3 Reverse Harem
This book brings us back the characters from book one (Alice and her four-armed alien mates, Tak and Iyaren) and their family situation, tainted by their failure to conceive more children (they have a little one fathered by Tak).
We get to meet again the Chimera, Kisk, who is introduced as an aloof, asocial character, incapable of maintaining a civil relationship with anyone in New Omni; he's unkept, surly, and he can't speak to others without offending them...I liked him from the start, he was so obnoxious that I found him endearing; IMO having no filter can be refreshing sometimes, and you could also feel his loneliness, so it made me feel empathy for him. The author mentioned how she took a risk with Kisk, because he had all the "virtues" to make him be unlikeable, but this author does have a talent for character development. Emotions have a big part in this series (there is despair, terrible loneliness, rage, jealousy, hatred), but there are reasons behind them, and as reader you get to understand those reasons and relate to them.
I love that the female characters are strong, each in their own way; nowadays, strong female characters sometimes feel like too masculine and IMO that is a mistake; women can be strong without emulating men, we don't have to always be "hard asses" to be strong. Alice is a nurturing woman, protective and fierce, but she's no warrior and she feels guilty for what she believes is weakness; I loved she's plus sized, and being the opposite of the ideal female model in Western culture, she is considered a goddess by her mates (they don't have a preconception of what a beautiful human woman must look like).
As Reverse Harem goes, there is little "action" practically until about 75% of the book, so the burn is slow, slow...I'm not a fan of slow burn stories, if I buy a reverse harem, I expect it to be hot, and I hate it because I love this series so much, so that's why I'm rating it with 4 stars. I would have enjoyed more if the joining of the MCs hadn't dragged on so much, and would have liked reading about them being together for longer than that, because I also felt so bad about Kisk being so lonely. So if you are looking for a smutty story, this is not it.
That said, Ms Trombley is a wonderful writer, and The Dead Fall is a enthralling world, full of fascinating aliens with ever-changing stories, it makes your imagination fly. It's better if you read the books in order, though, to better understand events and the bigger story arc. Also, if you are looking for aliens looking like aliens, this may be a book for you.
January 9, 2020
Overall
Not totally sure of the Up and down of this series.
One hand loves the unusual twists and characters the author writes. On the other, still stuck on The computer AI controller. Confused still about what happened to the Character that merged with the central control to take over the merges, etc of other world, so as not to destroy the one they are on. He seems the asteroid, which should have caused a lot more damage then it did.
Other items, farming, animals for eating, hygiene, can’t get everything from scavenger ruins.
Not totally sure of the Up and down of this series.
One hand loves the unusual twists and characters the author writes. On the other, still stuck on The computer AI controller. Confused still about what happened to the Character that merged with the central control to take over the merges, etc of other world, so as not to destroy the one they are on. He seems the asteroid, which should have caused a lot more damage then it did.
Other items, farming, animals for eating, hygiene, can’t get everything from scavenger ruins.
March 21, 2020
Good but..
This series is good and creative, but, I find myself skimming by some of the story. I will read the last one anyway.
This series is good and creative, but, I find myself skimming by some of the story. I will read the last one anyway.
February 24, 2020
Gaahhh this has been on my kindle for CENTURIES.
Why did this take me so long gahh it was so good.
Why did this take me so long gahh it was so good.
January 19, 2020
This is a tough review. There are a LOT of triggers in this book. There's the miscarriage, second trimester and described in detail. There's the infertility following it. I'm personally well acquainted with the latter, and don't enjoy reading about it.
It wasn't obvious from the beginning of the book just what Alice was dealing with. I am somewhat ashamed to admit I judged her very harshly. A lot of women go into complete depression after a chemical pregnancy, complete with naming the unborn fetus and all that. I personally don't understand that, because early miscarriages are crazy common. On top of that, after that, Alice mentioned 9 months had passed and considered that infertility. I have no sympathy. It's completely normal for it to take up to a year with normal healthy human couples. For my husband and me, it took over 2 years to conceive our first, and we're coming up to 2 years trying for our second. I don't have patience for people complaining about nothing.
Anyway. With all of that, I came to hate Alice, but Kisk kept me going. And it turned out I was mostly wrong about Alice, so that was nice. Why she thought hiding her sadness from her family was a smart idea I'm not really sure. I don't think she has many braincells to rub together. But at least she has compassion and is very nice to Kisk, which was redeeming. I liked reading about the settlement. I loved Kisk's development and how their relationship finally developed to how it should be, years later... Lol
Why oh why are they still limiting the ancilla pool to just Lauren and Asterius? Now they've made it into an orgy festival and yet still it's only those two giving their energy?
Also, Evie and Gray are growing apart and I don't like it. I hope he goes back to acting like he did in book 2. I also don't know how the Veraza or whatever is going to redeem himself.
It wasn't obvious from the beginning of the book just what Alice was dealing with. I am somewhat ashamed to admit I judged her very harshly. A lot of women go into complete depression after a chemical pregnancy, complete with naming the unborn fetus and all that. I personally don't understand that, because early miscarriages are crazy common. On top of that, after that, Alice mentioned 9 months had passed and considered that infertility. I have no sympathy. It's completely normal for it to take up to a year with normal healthy human couples. For my husband and me, it took over 2 years to conceive our first, and we're coming up to 2 years trying for our second. I don't have patience for people complaining about nothing.
Anyway. With all of that, I came to hate Alice, but Kisk kept me going. And it turned out I was mostly wrong about Alice, so that was nice. Why she thought hiding her sadness from her family was a smart idea I'm not really sure. I don't think she has many braincells to rub together. But at least she has compassion and is very nice to Kisk, which was redeeming. I liked reading about the settlement. I loved Kisk's development and how their relationship finally developed to how it should be, years later... Lol
Why oh why are they still limiting the ancilla pool to just Lauren and Asterius? Now they've made it into an orgy festival and yet still it's only those two giving their energy?
Also, Evie and Gray are growing apart and I don't like it. I hope he goes back to acting like he did in book 2. I also don't know how the Veraza or whatever is going to redeem himself.
December 7, 2019
I love this series so hard!!
Man every book in this series is so good. I love how ST makes it so real with real emotional issues and not just fluff. In this one we see Alice, Iyaren, and Tac overcoming their grief after I love how Kisk is able to open up the guys eyes, be an ear for Alice, and help to bring them all together so they could heal and move on together. I can't wait to see how ST redeems Veraza and hopefully they can defeat the NEX in the next one!
Man every book in this series is so good. I love how ST makes it so real with real emotional issues and not just fluff. In this one we see Alice, Iyaren, and Tac overcoming their grief after I love how Kisk is able to open up the guys eyes, be an ear for Alice, and help to bring them all together so they could heal and move on together. I can't wait to see how ST redeems Veraza and hopefully they can defeat the NEX in the next one!
October 23, 2019
I liked the first 3 book but not this one
The first 3 book were enjoyable. Alice is great in the first book. I don't understand what happened. In this book she is weak and whiney. I understand that she is dealing with depression but seriously..... The chimera is a major dickwad too. I am disappointed.
The first 3 book were enjoyable. Alice is great in the first book. I don't understand what happened. In this book she is weak and whiney. I understand that she is dealing with depression but seriously..... The chimera is a major dickwad too. I am disappointed.
September 25, 2019
I've loved all books until now
Struggle to read, instead of a brew story this is like a man up to continue the other books. I can read 300-400 page books with ease in a day this took almost a week kept asking myself why I wad stool fighting to finish it.
Struggle to read, instead of a brew story this is like a man up to continue the other books. I can read 300-400 page books with ease in a day this took almost a week kept asking myself why I wad stool fighting to finish it.
August 29, 2021
How far will you go to preserve your secret? Will you befriend your enemy, or will you destroy them? Alice is about to find out the cost of trying to protect those that she loves.
THE BLURB
The Chimera is a mystery in New Omni, a man so strange that he infuriates many of the residents. After Tak saves the chimera’s life, Kisk seeks to befriend Tak. Tak doesn’t want anything to do with him however, at least until he learns to have respect for his mate Alice. This only confuses Kisk however; how can a human female, one so fragile and weak, be respected? He starts to seek out Alice for his answers.
Alice has a secret, something that she hasn’t told to anyone, including her mates. When she comes across a small color changing shape in the antilla forest she bears her secrets. Only after exposing herself does she realise that the snake is one of the many slivers belonging to the chimera, and he may just expose her secrets to her mates!
TONE OF THE BOOK
Chimera’s Gift shifts towards a darker theme. There is a strong focus on characters dealing, and healing, with the trauma of loss and deception.
SENSITIVE TOPICS
This novel is aimed at mature readers.
It features some action scenes, although not particularly gory in manner.
There is a strong focus on the importance of discussion and truth throughout the novel; an underlying theme that time and time again repeats to haunt various characters.
SERIES SYNOPSIS
Chimera’s Gift is the fourth novel in the Into The Dead Fall series.
The novel is 330 pages long, making it the same length of a standard romance novel length (of 300 pages average).
The first three novels in the series follows the lives of three different human women. This novel returns to the first woman, Alice.
REVIEW
The Chimera’s Gift had a nice flow throughout the novel; no characters jumped too quickly through emotional development and no scenes rose too quickly with tension. It was entirely possible to follow along and believe the events paced accurately. Though I did find myself wishing for more action scenes to lend the novel some excitement, especially since The Chimera is a renowned warrior within the Dead Fall.
As for the world building in Chimera’s Gift, you sadly won’t see or explore any new locations within this novel. I found it somewhat disappointing after Minotaurs Curse (novel 3) where we got to explore some of the underground bunkers within the world. The novel just felt like it was missing new and exciting exploration.
“are you like the big boss from a video game or something? Because that’s what your life sounds like.”
You will learn more about The Chimera, a character that has appeared throughout the series briefly a couple times. Kisk is a really unique character that will keep you entertained. An anti-hero that you will want to hate at the beginning of the novel, but whom you will fall in love with in the end.
he thought about the one consideration he put above all else—the happiness of his family. He would do anything to protect that, and anything to ensure it.
There is a strong focus on the importance of discussion and truth throughout the novel; an underlying theme that time and time again repeats to haunt various characters.
FINAL WORD
I had mixed feelings about Chimera’s Gift. The novel was no doubt well written, but I found it’s focus on more serious topics and less on the adventure that previous novels held left me… disappointed? I wanted fun and adventure and got a serious life reflection instead.
May 4, 2025
I liked the story and the development of New Omni.
Alice and her two mates had a sweet toddler, and everything was great! But not really, because they've lost a pregnancy a few months ago and she was hiding from them how affected by it she still was. She didn't want to sadden her mates, because they were devastated after the miscarriage and she didn't want to remind them of their pain. I got why she was depressed, but hiding her feelings from the two amazing males that loved her more than life itself was so stupid. I was annoyed for her for half a book ;)
Kisk the Chimera was a jerk. Everyone in Omni and then New Omni knew that he was an asshole. A deadly opponent in the arena, that didn't even speak to anyone who didn't defeat him there. Learning his history made his behavior understandable, his life before the Fall was messed up and he never had anyone close. Being friendly and biting his tongue wasn't something he could learn there, he only knew fighting. I loved how Tak and Iyaren tried to teach him how to live and interact with people, he was awful and said mean things about Alice, but they helped him change. I think he wouldn't be ready for the change, if he wasn't already seeing Alice everyday and listening to her talk about her feelings and worries. It was heartwarming how he developed feelings for her, the standoffish jerk softened, when he realized that there could be different strengths than physical.
I liked that overarching story is progressing, but the Veraza's changes were messed up. I didn't like the guy, but I didn't want shit like that for him, eww.
Alice and her two mates had a sweet toddler, and everything was great! But not really, because they've lost a pregnancy a few months ago and she was hiding from them how affected by it she still was. She didn't want to sadden her mates, because they were devastated after the miscarriage and she didn't want to remind them of their pain. I got why she was depressed, but hiding her feelings from the two amazing males that loved her more than life itself was so stupid. I was annoyed for her for half a book ;)
Kisk the Chimera was a jerk. Everyone in Omni and then New Omni knew that he was an asshole. A deadly opponent in the arena, that didn't even speak to anyone who didn't defeat him there. Learning his history made his behavior understandable, his life before the Fall was messed up and he never had anyone close. Being friendly and biting his tongue wasn't something he could learn there, he only knew fighting. I loved how Tak and Iyaren tried to teach him how to live and interact with people, he was awful and said mean things about Alice, but they helped him change. I think he wouldn't be ready for the change, if he wasn't already seeing Alice everyday and listening to her talk about her feelings and worries. It was heartwarming how he developed feelings for her, the standoffish jerk softened, when he realized that there could be different strengths than physical.
I liked that overarching story is progressing, but the Veraza's changes were messed up. I didn't like the guy, but I didn't want shit like that for him, eww.
July 22, 2019
Oh, man, I liked this one. The chimera is a hot mess of a dude in the beginning. On the plus side, it's not because he's a grade-A jerk. At least not once we get to know him. He's just been taught that certain things are a certain way and he needed to follow the rules laid out for him.
In other words, if you're strong enough to defeat Kisk, you're worthy of his time. Which kinda makes him sound like the aforementioned grade-A jerk, but he's not. I SWEAR.
He's just gloriously socially awkward and has no idea how to relate to others.
Due to a series of circumstances, he finds himself trying to understand Alice and how she used her sorceress ways to ensnare Tak and Iyaran. The more time he spends around her, the more he comes to enjoy being near her. Which confuses him immensely because she's everything Kisk has been told is beneath him.
Ultimately, Kisk makes some big mental changes and becomes someone worthy of standing beside Tak and Iyaren as Alice's mate. All this while helping the other three come to terms with loss and the potential for new beginnings.
Oh, yeah. And while dealing with the crazy stuff the Nex is throwing at them. Man, the dead fall is just chock full of crazy. With more to come. Yessssss.
-Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal
In other words, if you're strong enough to defeat Kisk, you're worthy of his time. Which kinda makes him sound like the aforementioned grade-A jerk, but he's not. I SWEAR.
He's just gloriously socially awkward and has no idea how to relate to others.
Due to a series of circumstances, he finds himself trying to understand Alice and how she used her sorceress ways to ensnare Tak and Iyaran. The more time he spends around her, the more he comes to enjoy being near her. Which confuses him immensely because she's everything Kisk has been told is beneath him.
Ultimately, Kisk makes some big mental changes and becomes someone worthy of standing beside Tak and Iyaren as Alice's mate. All this while helping the other three come to terms with loss and the potential for new beginnings.
Oh, yeah. And while dealing with the crazy stuff the Nex is throwing at them. Man, the dead fall is just chock full of crazy. With more to come. Yessssss.
-Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal
May 29, 2019
Book 4 in the ‘into the dead fall series’
Returning to our original heroin Alice and her mates Tac and I, with changes in the fall and new mini going on the focus is building a new world. Alice finds herself overwhelmed.... following a loss and unable to confide in her mates...she has so much to be happy for but finds herself unhappy. The constant brave face she adopts is slipping...and finding herself at the attention of Kisk...is proving more of a help in finding her solace...
I enjoyed this book, it had a different pace and tone to all the others in the series and I think this was due to Alice’s calm nature. She is a nurturer and a caregiver and it was not surprising that when she met Kisk she felt more than just disregard for him. His loneliness and pain called to her.
This book also continued to set the tone and lay the foundations for further books in this series, I love reading about this world and hope it continues to grow, develop and flourish despite the devious intentions of Nex.
Returning to our original heroin Alice and her mates Tac and I, with changes in the fall and new mini going on the focus is building a new world. Alice finds herself overwhelmed.... following a loss and unable to confide in her mates...she has so much to be happy for but finds herself unhappy. The constant brave face she adopts is slipping...and finding herself at the attention of Kisk...is proving more of a help in finding her solace...
I enjoyed this book, it had a different pace and tone to all the others in the series and I think this was due to Alice’s calm nature. She is a nurturer and a caregiver and it was not surprising that when she met Kisk she felt more than just disregard for him. His loneliness and pain called to her.
This book also continued to set the tone and lay the foundations for further books in this series, I love reading about this world and hope it continues to grow, develop and flourish despite the devious intentions of Nex.
January 31, 2023
A brave foray into grief
Alice has always been my favorite FMC in this series because she is grounded, compassionate, and prone to low self esteem. Kisk was an interesting new addition and had an appropriate personality for his circumstances. I thought he was a good balance for Tak and Iyaran, primarily because he was an outsider in every way and didn’t have any preconceived notions about what love or a loving relationship looked like.
This book dove deep into the complexities involved in balancing different relationships. Every one of these characters carried immense personal and interpersonal trauma and didn’t know how to deal with it. There is no blue print for communicating with loved ones when everyone is heartbroken.
Also, this was one of the most accurate depictions of depression I’ve ever read. Just because some things in your life are good, doesn’t mean you will be happy.
Spice: 2.75/5
Triggers: miscarriage, grief, depression, violence, references to abvse, kidnapping
Alice has always been my favorite FMC in this series because she is grounded, compassionate, and prone to low self esteem. Kisk was an interesting new addition and had an appropriate personality for his circumstances. I thought he was a good balance for Tak and Iyaran, primarily because he was an outsider in every way and didn’t have any preconceived notions about what love or a loving relationship looked like.
This book dove deep into the complexities involved in balancing different relationships. Every one of these characters carried immense personal and interpersonal trauma and didn’t know how to deal with it. There is no blue print for communicating with loved ones when everyone is heartbroken.
Also, this was one of the most accurate depictions of depression I’ve ever read. Just because some things in your life are good, doesn’t mean you will be happy.
Spice: 2.75/5
Triggers: miscarriage, grief, depression, violence, references to abvse, kidnapping
January 31, 2020
Try it, you won’t be disappointed
I wish I had a way of guaranteeing that if you don’t like Ms. Trombley’s Deadfall series I could personally return your money.! Because I would never lose a dime. This author rights great, fantastic, wonderful and awesome series books. Pick your verb because you WILL NOT be disappointed. I have read everyone of her books and I have yet to be disappointed. You will become so immersed in the lives of the characters that you will feel as if your in the story with them as some kind of observer that can’t be seen or heard, yet your right there living it with the them in real time. There are very few authors in this world that can create a world so colorfully realistic that it quite literally sucks you in with the story. I hope this helps you decide that you want to read one. You will definitely fall in love with the characters and all they have to go through to get to their happily ever after.
I wish I had a way of guaranteeing that if you don’t like Ms. Trombley’s Deadfall series I could personally return your money.! Because I would never lose a dime. This author rights great, fantastic, wonderful and awesome series books. Pick your verb because you WILL NOT be disappointed. I have read everyone of her books and I have yet to be disappointed. You will become so immersed in the lives of the characters that you will feel as if your in the story with them as some kind of observer that can’t be seen or heard, yet your right there living it with the them in real time. There are very few authors in this world that can create a world so colorfully realistic that it quite literally sucks you in with the story. I hope this helps you decide that you want to read one. You will definitely fall in love with the characters and all they have to go through to get to their happily ever after.
May 26, 2019
Amazingly wonderful
This book was necessary; I loved Alice's thrio, but she needed to change; obviously they did too. Still hanging on to the hangups that she had on Earth when they were never going to be able to go back, wasn't good. That their needed to grow and change and this book showed it beautifully. While most night not have liked Kisk in the beginning, I didn't really like Alice in the beginning of this book. The things she kept to herself were killing her, and she knew better while Kisk really didn't. I can't wait for the next in this series....I love each and every book.
This book was necessary; I loved Alice's thrio, but she needed to change; obviously they did too. Still hanging on to the hangups that she had on Earth when they were never going to be able to go back, wasn't good. That their needed to grow and change and this book showed it beautifully. While most night not have liked Kisk in the beginning, I didn't really like Alice in the beginning of this book. The things she kept to herself were killing her, and she knew better while Kisk really didn't. I can't wait for the next in this series....I love each and every book.
May 29, 2019
Chimera's Gift was a hard book for me to read, as it grabbed onto some real deep emotions and rode it hard. I prepared myself for this book, by excitedly re-reading the previous books... making me thoroughly invested into the story. As usual, Susan Trombley has done an excellent job in world building and making characters, that while stretch the boundaries of the imagination most delightfully, you fall in love with each and every one! I definitely recommend this book and I can't wait to see what happens next!
August 7, 2019
I have to say that I enjoyed the character of Alice much more in this book then the first in which she appears. At first I found her to be a bit whiney and very insecure, which I can relate to a lot but still it was sometimes annoying.
All of that changed whith the Chimera's Gift. I got to see her and other characters in a different light and liked it very much.
Kisk especially was one of my favorites in this one. I liked his clumsy way to deal with people.
Cannot wait for the next one in this and her Iridian Test Subjects series. Currently in love with Susan Trombleys books ^^
All of that changed whith the Chimera's Gift. I got to see her and other characters in a different light and liked it very much.
Kisk especially was one of my favorites in this one. I liked his clumsy way to deal with people.
Cannot wait for the next one in this and her Iridian Test Subjects series. Currently in love with Susan Trombleys books ^^
September 29, 2020
Absolutely riveting
Susan Trombley has become one of my top 5 authors in just 4 books of the Dead Fall.I love an author who has unlimited imagination, and the character development is just compelling. I can't wait for the next book. Read this one in 3 days, lol Kisk turned out to be everthing nobody exspected he could be, but that's how complex people are in real-life as well. We don't always see what's below the surface unless we really try. Alice is the heart that this brutal world needs. Great book.
Susan Trombley has become one of my top 5 authors in just 4 books of the Dead Fall.I love an author who has unlimited imagination, and the character development is just compelling. I can't wait for the next book. Read this one in 3 days, lol Kisk turned out to be everthing nobody exspected he could be, but that's how complex people are in real-life as well. We don't always see what's below the surface unless we really try. Alice is the heart that this brutal world needs. Great book.
June 7, 2019
Wow!
I have read all of the books by this amazing author! I love the setting the futuristic pieces that make the setting so believable so real… The characters or Thorley developed and you learn so much from each and everyone of them but more than anything this is a love story each and everyone of these stories in one with in the series is amazing I highly recommend this author please please please read her books
I have read all of the books by this amazing author! I love the setting the futuristic pieces that make the setting so believable so real… The characters or Thorley developed and you learn so much from each and everyone of them but more than anything this is a love story each and everyone of these stories in one with in the series is amazing I highly recommend this author please please please read her books
September 18, 2019
True aliens...
I liked this book (this series ) because other than a few Earth women all the men are alien looking , well ... for the most part . The plot is written with alot of imagination . I read parts where I thought what the hec ? How did she come up with that ? ( I'm thinking of Doshoks (sp?) "babies") Eewwww.... Anyway , it's a great sci-fi ,romance series . I think I liked this book the best . I hardly put it down .
I liked this book (this series ) because other than a few Earth women all the men are alien looking , well ... for the most part . The plot is written with alot of imagination . I read parts where I thought what the hec ? How did she come up with that ? ( I'm thinking of Doshoks (sp?) "babies") Eewwww.... Anyway , it's a great sci-fi ,romance series . I think I liked this book the best . I hardly put it down .
October 23, 2019
One word - KISK
I fell in love with Kisk. He's a diamond i the rough. His personality is so big, he fascinated me from the beginning. He is a character I will remember and I had quite a few laugh out loud moments.
If you like heroes that are rough around the edges, a bit cocky and arrogant and blunt with a curiosity that pushes the buttons of even the most patient person than Kisk is for you.
I fell in love with Kisk. He's a diamond i the rough. His personality is so big, he fascinated me from the beginning. He is a character I will remember and I had quite a few laugh out loud moments.
If you like heroes that are rough around the edges, a bit cocky and arrogant and blunt with a curiosity that pushes the buttons of even the most patient person than Kisk is for you.
December 20, 2019
I enjoyed this one
I was kind of disappointed when I realized this was about Alice but it turned out to not be as bad as I thought Kisk was so sweet and I really was very happy the way everything turned out so I guess I will read the last one cause I'm sure it's going to probably be about Evie since I saw Dosk or whatever that guys name was on the cover anyways check out this series it's definitely worth the read
I was kind of disappointed when I realized this was about Alice but it turned out to not be as bad as I thought Kisk was so sweet and I really was very happy the way everything turned out so I guess I will read the last one cause I'm sure it's going to probably be about Evie since I saw Dosk or whatever that guys name was on the cover anyways check out this series it's definitely worth the read
January 17, 2020
Another Great Chapter in the Dead Fall Saga
I wasn’t so sure I was ready for Alice to have another love interest, but the addition of Kisk was a good choice and I can’t imagine him fitting in with anyone else. I also really enjoyed how the characters dealt with the after effects/grief from a miscarriage - it was beautifully handled and not at all something I would expect to find in a sci-fi reverse harem romance.
I wasn’t so sure I was ready for Alice to have another love interest, but the addition of Kisk was a good choice and I can’t imagine him fitting in with anyone else. I also really enjoyed how the characters dealt with the after effects/grief from a miscarriage - it was beautifully handled and not at all something I would expect to find in a sci-fi reverse harem romance.
December 22, 2020
I liked the path of the chimera, he grew as a person out of necessity to fit in, to understand his surroundings to interact successfully. And then the way he gradually fell in love with Alice and how he defended her, how he felt her pain and wanted to protect her regardless of the consequences to him.
The book is heartwarming, Alice is a cuddly woman that loved her life as a mother and a devoted life and just generally thinking about other people's comfort.
The book is heartwarming, Alice is a cuddly woman that loved her life as a mother and a devoted life and just generally thinking about other people's comfort.
June 23, 2019
Running along
This wrapped up the new Omni for me with Alice. I felt her pain and the fact that Kisk was there just made the addition run smoothly. I liked his character even though he was a jerk. He added to the family especially with the other two mates. This was a good addition to the series as well.
This wrapped up the new Omni for me with Alice. I felt her pain and the fact that Kisk was there just made the addition run smoothly. I liked his character even though he was a jerk. He added to the family especially with the other two mates. This was a good addition to the series as well.
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