The Sensation

Salvi Brentt #2

by Amanda Bridgeman

Last time she investigated the saints of the Solme Complex. This time it's the sinners of the Sensation... Presenting the second Salvi Brentt novel from award-winning author, Amanda Bridgeman.

A series of brutal murders has the homicide division of San Francisco's Hub 9 working overtime. But as the bodies mount, they begin to question whether the attacks are random or somehow connected.

When one of their own falls victim, Detective Salvi Brentt and the Hub 9 homicide team join forces with the narcotics and cyber divisions to track down those responsible. They soon discover a volatile new drug-tech experience, involving black market neural implants, has hit the streets, causing the epidemic of violence and missing persons.

With the clock ticking and the bodies piling up, Salvi must go deep undercover in the seedy Sensation club scene to found out who is behind it. But in the secretive playgrounds of the rich and powerful, some will stop at nothing to protect their empire...

File Under: Science Fiction [ Electrical High - Rich vs All - Deathly Addiction - If You Go Down to the Woods... ]

Genres: Science Fiction

400 pages, Paperback

Published October 13, 2020

About the author

Amanda is a Scribe Award winner, a two-time Tin Duck Award winner, an Aurealis and Ditmar Awards finalist and author of several science fiction and thriller novels. Her works include sci-fi mystery SALVATION series, consisting of THE SUBJUGATE and THE SENSATION (published by Angry Robot Books, UK), which is being developed for TV by Aquarius Films and Anonymous Content (True Detective, Mr Robot, The Alienist).

THE SUBJUGATE is also currently being studied at two German universities (Düsseldorf and Cologne) as part of a program on Australian speculative fiction, in conjunction with the Centre for Australian Studies.

Born in the seaside/country town of Geraldton, Western Australia, she moved to Perth (Western Australia) to study film & television/creative writing at Murdoch University, earning her a BA in Communication Studies. Perth has been her home ever since, aside from a nineteen-month stint in London (England) where she dabbled in Film & TV ‘Extra’ work.

Amanda is a versatile writer who enjoys working across different genres and creative formats, be it novels, screenplays, short stories, etc, and creating both original and tie-in work.

Her Scribe Award winning novel PANDEMIC: PATIENT ZERO is the first novel set in the award-winning Pandemic tabletop board game universe.

She has written short stories for Marvel (X-Men) and Black Library (Warhammer 40k) anthologies.

Her new novel, Sound of Light, set in the Marvel X-Men universe and featuring mutant Dazzler, is out now!

Reviews

[Chris Berko · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another very cool murder mystery and exploration of the technology introduced in book one. Whodunnits have been around forever and have been done a million different ways so its cool to periodically come across a fresh and inventive take on the genre. In the original Karate Kid movie Mr Miyagi says, "Different, but same." That is how I feel about this book, everything I loved about book one is still here with the cool characters, original tech, and genuinely intriguing mystery but the author sort of takes things in a totally different direction, and it is awesome. The Sensation is also a little bit darker than book one and shows further exploitation of what was something that was supposed to be used for good. Enough about that for to say more would be to give away integral plot points. Amanda Bridgeman knows how to plot and the pace of this book is relentless because there are honestly like thirty different story lines going on and they all converge pretty spectacularly. Like I said, the author does a great job juggling multiple threads and keeping everything interesting and leaves enough unanswered questions to set up a definite book three.

I love Netgalley and Angry Robot and thank them for the arc while my thoughts and opinions remain my own.

[Nikki · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Sensation, The Salvation Series, Book II, by Amanda Bridgeman
Publisher: Angry Robot
Genre: Mystery & Thrillers | Sci Fi & Fantasy
Release Date: October 13, 2020
💥💥💥💥
This is a fast paced crime drama set in a tech-rich future and I loved it!

The characters were engaging and the story line was intriguing. I love a good murder mystery and this was a great one!

Since this is book 2 of The Salvation Series, I will definetly be reading book 1 and any future books in the series

I'm so grateful to Amanda Bridgeman, Angry Robot Publishing, and NetGalley for providing me with a free copy of this ARC ebook in exchange for my honest review.

[Dana · Rating 2 out of 5]

Apparently, I’m the first hater.

[Daniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This review originally published in Looking For a Good book. Rated 4.75 of 5

I feel like Steve Martin in The Jerk ... I want to hold this up and run around saying, "The new Amanda Bridgeman book is out! The new Amanda Bridgeman book is here!" I have very much been looking forward to the release of this next volume in the Salvi Brentt series.

Detective Salvi Brentt is one tough detective. She's still recovering from her ordeal in the previous book (The Subjugate), and as we meet up with her, we learn that she has asked for a new partner because she's developed a personal relationship with Mitch Grenville. She's also avoiding the Solme Complex where one of the Subjugates that Salvi used to get herself out of a life-threatening situation is asking for her. But Brentt has a more urgent situation to attend to.

A body recently discovered in an old warehouse was an undercover cop and Brentt and her fellow homicide detectives learn about a highly secret series of nightclubs where people move up a level (literally) by invitation only until they get to the ceiling. There are drugs involved, called Flyte and Fyte, but their connection to the nightclubs is unknown. And as if a dead cop wasn't enough motivation, the Chief of Police's daughter is missing, last seen entering the nightclub.

There isn't time to set someone up to get inside, the way the now-dead copy had been vetted, so the homicide department will try to get someone inside the old-fashioned way ... with a beautiful woman, bored with the ordinary and dropping money as if it didn't mean anything. Salvi Brentt. But it won't be easy, and this is an organization that's already killed one undercover cop. And what Brentt learns as she moves up in the club scares her more than she ever expected.

One of the things I really love about this book is how author Amanda Bridgeman gives us a (now) familiar character but gives us a new story and manages to tie the two books together with some important plot points.

I really love Bridgeman's characters. Everyone we meet feels so real and, as I mentioned in my review of The Subjugate, these characters have human flaws, and their flaws as as interesting (or more so) as their strengths.

The setting of slightly futuristic, with high tech drugs and sex being traded and sold, is absolutely where we're headed as a culture, and the grittiness of our setting oozes naturally - Bridgeman doesn't have to emphasize anything because we see it.

I would have liked to have seen more of the Brentt/Grenville relationship, but it didn't make sense in the context of this story, so I'm glad Bridgeman didn't force it.

The ending sets up a dark future for Brentt. It's not a cliff-hanger but it will have you anxious to read on.

This is a sci-fi mystery series that I am very excited about and Salvi Brentt will be a much talked about character in the years to come.

Looking for a good book? Amanda Bridgeman's The Sensation is here! Amanda Bridgeman's The Sensation is here! Read it now!

I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher, through Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.

[Zoe L.]

I’m backkk with book two and I’m seriously obsessed with this cover! Just like with the first book (you can read my review on my blog!) I was instantly engaged and involved in the story. And it doesn’t fail to live up to the first book in the series, The Sensation definitely stands on it’s own as another outstanding part of this series.

This second installment in the series continues to expand on our knowledge of the world and introduces us to new and old characters. And while there are the familiar aspects in this book, there is still plenty of new things to draw our attention. But I can’t talk about it too much because I don’t want to give anything away!

I find that oftentimes the second book in a series falls into the “sophomore slump.” But The Sensation definitely didn’t fall into that trap and really stands out! I loved being able to go further into this world and get a deeper understanding of all of the horror in the series.

You can view my full review on my blog! I also post about a lot of different types of books!

Reader | Bookstagrammer | Blogger | Reviewer
@ya.its.lit - https://www.instagram.com/ya.its.lit/
Blog - https://yaitslitblog.wordpress.com/

[Mutated Reviewer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Has it really been two years since the first book? I absolutely loved that one, and my opinion hasn't changed about the series with this one. From the second I started it, I knew I wasn't going to be able to put it down until it was finished, and that's exactly what happened. I really had trouble reading other things while my phone was charging, and that's exactly what I love about this series. It worms its way into your head, and once you're in, you're not getting back out. Kind of like the subject matter in this novel specifically.

Check out my full review here!

https://radioactivebookreviews.wordpr...

[Harri · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Sensation is the second book in the Salvi Brentt series. I really enjoyed the first book. The mystery was intriguing, the romance was good and the characters were interesting. This is a brilliant sequel that definitely lives up to my expectations. It brings back plenty of characters from the first book, as well as introducing some new ones. I liked that in this book we get more of the relationships between Salvi and the rest of the team. And of course, I loved seeing more of Salvi and Mitch's burgeoning relationship.

After the events that transpired in the first book, Salvi Brentt has been assigned to desk duty. The book starts with her return to full duty, which happens to coincide with a new drug on the streets and a spate of potentially linked murders. This is quickly followed by a dead cop, making this case personal. Salvi has to solve the crimes and take down the criminals before it's too late.

There is some seriously twisted ideas in this book, along the same vein as the first book. Brainwashing and sex slaves, drugs that make you lose your mind. Bridgeman certainly doesn't shy away from violence. But I thought all of these ideas were explored in interesting ways. Whilst the book contains some awful things, they are not just there for shock value. I have to admit, this book did make really make me think about our increasing reliance on technology and the potential it has for abuse.

I love the future tech. This book is definitely sci fi, with so many cool and also scary ideas for the future. Neural implants, AI, drones watching your every move. Combined with the detective work and it feels a bit like a sci fi CSI. It has an engaging, interesting, complex plot, and is fast paced and exciting the entire way through.

I would recommend that people read the first book first, before reading this one. Whilst it is possibly enjoyable as a stand alone, you'll definitely get more from it by reading them in order. Book one introduces us to the world, and sets the scene for the character development in book two. There are also links to the plot of the first book.

Overall, this is a really good sci fi crime novel that I enjoyed reading.

[James · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good story, well written. Fast paced. The story really picked-up in the end. I think it's necessary to read the first book in the series, the Subjugate to get some background of the main characters. Solid world building. I liked Ms. Bridgeman's writing and would buy the next book in the series as well as take a look at any other book she wrote.

Thanks Netgalley and Angry Robot for the ARC.

[RG · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the first novel from this local author. Great follow up. Murder mystery scifi kinda miminal cyberpunkish. Still not as good as some of the other novels in the same vein but really dug it. Hopefully more

[Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really nice mix of mystery, tech, action, and suspense. All around good scifi. Bridgeman is a talented author. Recommended.

I really appreciate the ARC for review!!

[Jamie Brackell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Set in a near-future San Francisco where immersive technology and drugs result in a deadly cocktail for thrill-seekers, “The Sensation” is the second novel in The Salvation Series and the follow-up to the excellent neo-noir crime thriller, “The Subjugate”, which I reviewed back in October 2018 on this very blog. Written by Australian author Amanda Bridgeman, one key theme of the novels has been the dangers of technological implants and how it can be used to control and influence people for both good and bad reasons. The suppression of free will has been a recurring element in the novels and whereas “The Subjugate” asked questions about using technology to control psychotics and criminals, “The Sensation” looks at how technology can be used to increase pleasure.

While both novels share the same characters and themes, I found “The Sensation” to be a lot darker and ‘cyberpunk’ than its predecessor due to the focus on the focus on the illegal tech, neon lights and drugs ‘n’ clubs; which is a bit of a contrast to the plain living folks of Bountiful seen in “The Subjugate”. I really enjoyed how Bridgeman developed Salvi Brentt’s team into fully-realised characters, giving the book an ensemble vibe compared to the buddy-cop feel of the first novel. What initially begins as a series of unrelated murders eventually culminates into a spider’s web of a conspiracy with a deadly new drug at the heart of it, and with the nightclub district of The Sensation as the main setting, Bridgeman gets to do a futuristic version of the 80’s excess with ‘neo-yuppies’ indulging in all sorts of drug-fuelled perversions.

While Salvi Brentt has moved onto a new case, elements from her last case involving the Subjugates and the Solme Complex continue to lurk in the background. There are some surprising developments that end up creating stronger connections between Salvi and her curious nemesis: Subjugate-52. Formerly known as the sadistic serial killer Edward Moses, Subjugate-52 is the morally ambiguous character from “The Subjugate” and acts as a Hannibal Lecter-esque foil to Salvi Brentt’s Clarice. Their odd relationship is extremely compelling and while it doesn’t get much ‘screen-time’ in this particular book, it is clear that Bridgeman has an endgame in mind with these characters. The final chapters offer some interesting hints are what the third book might revolve around, as Bridgeman leaves enough unanswered questions from the first two books to tantalise fans.

As much as I enjoyed the undercover cop aspect of the novel, the book hit its stride in the final act as some shocking twists changed the direction of the series permanently. I devoured that last third of the novel in one sitting and was unable to sleep until I finished the book – and even then, needed a half hour to ‘decompress’. The ending is so bleak and downbeat that it reminded me of The Empire Strikes Back – a deliciously nihilistic ending that leaves the reader in anticipation for the next part of the series. Bridgeman puts her characters through some serious trauma, and because she does such a brilliant job at establishing them as likeable protagonists, it felt like an actual punch to the gut when the full extent of the changes were made clear. It was a pitch-perfect execution of a plot twist and just validates the accolades that Bridgeman has received for her writing.

“The Sensation” is a simply incredible sequel that does what all good sequels should do and improves upon the original in almost every way. After establishing the characters and world in the first book, the stakes are raised and the safety is off is in the second, and who knows what awaits us in the third. “The Subjugate” worked as a stunning stand-alone novel, but with this sophomore effort, Bridgeman has created a brilliant and immensely engaging series. I enjoyed this novel so much that I have to bestow the highest compliment I can think of for a writer: she inspires me to want to write myself. And with that, all that is left is to award the inevitable perfect ‘five-star’ score and implore you to check out both books, if you haven’t already.

[Susie Williamson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Salvi Brentt had killed a man, and he had almost killed her. Under psych review she was cleared for active duty and has a new partner, the department’s dedicated AI, Riverton. A case opens when the body of 34-year-old Devon Barker is found in Sensation. A woman, Myki Natashi, is discovered unconscious in the bedroom by police, who had responded to a domestic disturbance. Myki doesn’t know what happened, and only remembers dinner the night before with Devon. Vincent Calabri was seen in the area, a man with a small rap sheet in the employ of detective Francis Melon, who is Myki’s ex-boyfriend of 3 years. Melon works in the financial industry, a known acquaintance of John Dorant, affording him loose ties to organised crime, and friends in high places. This case is also coupled with the murder of undercover officer, Caine, and the disappearance of the Chief’s daughter into a drug gang.
As in the first book of the series, I enjoyed the character arcs, and in particular the main character, Salvi, a complex woman with a past, and strength to face herself and get the job done. She is still seeing her old partner, Mitch, which was an interesting aspect of her character development in the first book, and continues to add interest in this sequel. Previously, Salvi had faced two serial killers, and one was still alive: Edward Moses, Subjugate-52, locked up in the Solme Complex. Subjugate-52 has been asking for Salvi. He hasn’t received what was promised him after helping Salvi in the last case. He was promised to become a Serene, but Salvi disappeared on him, renegading on her word. Now she is concerned what level of deception he is capable of, and how he might manipulate access to the wider world.
The development of the role of AI in this sequel was particularly interesting. Talking robo-cleaners have names, and the AI, Riverton, is humanised through friendly interactions, showing apparent consideration to which Salvi responds in kind. Hackers cause chaos to evidence by wiping CCTV footage, and more sinister, they hack neural implants that leave a brain wide open to abuse and full-on takeover. A broad range of available technology sees a further reduction in human/human interaction, with drone surveillance, VR headsets and tasers, robot dancers, and holographic forms. Neural tech is also injected in drug form, rendering a person entirely helpless to being used as a sex droid. There are interesting questions here, since the drug lowers a person’s inhibitions and heightens sexual desire, leading to sex. But this is under the influence of a drug, illegally administered without consent, and therefore constitutes rape.
Tech used to keep subjugates in line can equally be used to keep slaves in line, adding a sinister edge which I found compelling. Salvi is on a deadly mission to uncover truths, and among the truths are: where do we draw the line, who is good and who is bad or is society just lurking somewhere between, what is right and wrong and who has the right, who is hunter and who is prey? Technology affords power, and with it comes responsibility, but is anyone responsible enough? These are questions I am left with, making this an inspiring read.

[Kristen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This and other reviews at superstardrifter.com

This is the continuing story of Salvi Brentt, who is a detective with the homicide division of the San Francisco police department. She’s just come back onto active duty after the events that happened in the first volume, just in time for a crimewave to hit the streets.

The crimes are tied into popular night clubs in the area, which seem to be the source of the two new drugs on the scene, known as Fyte and Flyte. That, and illegal neural tech. Salvi goes undercover into the clubs to try and find a lead on who is running the show, but the clubs are very exclusive, and it will take a great deal of networking before she can make her way up the ladder.

Many shenanigans are had along the way.

I enjoyed this one, but I didn’t fall in love with it like I did the first. I like Salvi, and find her easy to cheer for, but in this one she was a little irritating at times, and it started to grate a little. Salvi has to do a lot of undercover work in this one, and while I do believe she has the skills needed to manage it, she managed to get in with basically the head honcho of the club with… not a lot of work. After how much it was stressed that this was the sort of club where people spend weeks and months getting from floor to floor, this made my eyes roll a little. That said, it did help with the pacing of the book. I thought it ran smoothly from start to finish, and blended a bunch of different threads into one huge weave of a mystery.

The mystery stayed, for the most part, mysterious to me until the end, and I have to say that the last quarter of this book was a veritable thrillride that I was not expecting at all. I pushed to finish the book in the middle of the night because I simply could not put it down in order to sleep. I had to know what happened to Salvi. I also have to say that I liked the little bits of romance that were peppered through this one. It was rather cute.

So all told, I did like this one, but not as much as I liked the first one. I am eager to see what happens next in Salvi’s cyberpunk world, because this one left a whoooooole bunch of room for more shenanigans. I am excited to see where it goes!

Thanks to the author as well as Angry Robot for the review copy!

[Rachel Bridgeman · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a brilliant and engaging, near future murder mystery, set in the Sensation, the party district of future San Francisco. The first case back for returning detective, Salvi Brentt, following her debut in ‘The Subjugate’ turns out to be both wicked, and personal. She is confronted with a violent death, during which his model girlfriend slept through the entire attack. Recognising signs of drug usage, the team at SFPD soon link the recent spate of deaths in the city to 2 new street drugs, Flyte-an accelerated form of ecstasy-and Fyte-an accelerated form of meth. Both cause euphoric states which induce the taker to make questionable choices , and not under a full informed state of consent.

When one of their own falls foul of this escalating crime wave, the team quickly swing into action and send Salvi undercover at one of the clubs, where a race against time to work out just who is synthesising the drugs which are flooding the city…and just how high up the chain of command that this goes. There are some very high level players who are heavily invested in the drug trade, and could these multiple, violent and bizarre deaths be an attempt to hide the real agenda of what they are up to? And when the chief’s daughter has gone missing, last seen in Sensation club, Floor to Ceiling, the homicide and narcotics team need to bury professional hatchets, not in each other, and get on with the job.

A gripping police procedural which has you feeling like you are amongst friends, this combination of detective fiction and future tech, is both different and unusual. It is a breath of fresh air for someone like me, who does not always ‘get’ sci-fi and I found this was so seamlessly woven into the tale, that it became very easy to pick up the futuristic vocabulary. The darker, shadier side of club life is brought up off the page and into your mind with ease, and is entirely relatable as, no matter what time frame a novel is set in, rights and wrongs, victim and murder, are always going to be motifs which are understood at a fundamental level.

Thoroughly enjoyable, and highly recommended, hopefully there will be more entries in the Salvation series!

[Reid Edwards · Rating 4 out of 5]

I always appreciate when, in a sequel, an author is able to pull enough from the first novel to keep the returning readers interested, but not require so much as to isolate and scare off new readers. I haven't read the first in this series, but I plan on doing so, having enjoyed The Sensation's cyber noir vibe and the characters that Amanda Bridgeman has successfully carried forward. You can tell that Bridgeman has an eye for detail and worldbuilding, as her characters subtly reference events in the world's past that shape their existence without forcing the reader to endure exposition after exposition. Her action scenes unfold both carefully and chaotically, giving life and credence to the events taking place. All in all, this is a great read for that crime enthusiast who wants to lean harder into the SFF world, or vice versa - I could see a Robert Parker or Michael Connelly fan discovering Salvi Brentt and being happy with that outcome.

[MissNikki · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ugh! Disappointing. After The Subjugate had high hopes for this. But had to DNF half way thru. The first book had an intriguing premise, interesting world building and tight dialogue with real tension between characters. It was also a bit sexy at times. All of that is missing from this book. The dialogue especially. When Salvi tries to seduce the club owner I was physically wincing - it was so bad. I was embarrassed for Salvi - which definitely wasn’t the vibe she was going for. I think the loss of Mitch as a partner was also a mistake. Mitch gave Salvi a proper other fully formed character to bounce off. Now it’s just her, everyone else feels like cardboard cutout. Given this two stars because I did make it halfway and the world she has created still has potential to be interesting. Disappointing.

[Eric Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a pretty good book. It has crime, cyber implants and the like, and drugs. I don't like the drugs part so much but it was a good read. Overall the book is pretty easy to follow and that's what I like about some books in this genre, the ability to understand what the author is conveying and you don't need a PhD to figure out what they're talking about. The action was good and a good whoudunit and also part of a series. I hadn't read the previous book, but this book focused more on the actual story than a trip back into the previous book, which I bought because I was intrigued by it. The references flow with the story, and that doesn't bog you down with the previous story, which I liked. I would recommend a good sci-fi crime story, and probably a good story to write for myself in my own way.

[Judy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is one you really should probably read the first in the series first, which I didn't do. Too much previous trauma affects the second book.

That said, it was a traumatic read for me anyhow. Extremely violent crime in a kinky sex club setting. Fairly engrossing and pretty well written (except several grammatical errors, also traumatic for me). Nope, I'm not going on with this one.

[Annarella · Rating 5 out of 5]

A gripping and highly entertaining techno thriller that kept me hooked.
Excellent world building and storytelling, good character development, a solid plot full of twists and turns.
It's highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

[Andre Boone · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Sensation is a real page-turner. And you can easily start reading this book even if you haven't read the first one (The Subjugate) in the series. I look forward to more stories about Salvi Brentt!

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