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The Deviant Future #1
Toxic Dust
In a Deviant Future, the world has been reshaped. Humanity has been changed. Yet despite it all, one thing does survive—love. An exciting new dystopian romance FOR ADULTS from New York Times bestseller, Eve Langlais.
The world outside the domes is a scary place, but nothing compared to the marauder who captures Laura.
With one dark look, Axel promises violence, yet his touch is gentle. He shows her a different way of living. A new set of truths. How the ancients used to do things.
Makes her want a forbidden thing called love. But can she leave her past and beliefs behind?
The woman is trouble with a capital T. Yet the moment Axel sees her, rational thought disappears, and when she ends up in grave danger, he can’t stop himself from going to her rescue.
Will he be in time to save her?
The world outside the domes is a scary place, but nothing compared to the marauder who captures Laura.
With one dark look, Axel promises violence, yet his touch is gentle. He shows her a different way of living. A new set of truths. How the ancients used to do things.
Makes her want a forbidden thing called love. But can she leave her past and beliefs behind?
The woman is trouble with a capital T. Yet the moment Axel sees her, rational thought disappears, and when she ends up in grave danger, he can’t stop himself from going to her rescue.
Will he be in time to save her?
378 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 25, 2020
247 people are currently reading
729 people want to read
About the author
Eve Langlais
358 books5,410 followers~ New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author
Hello, my name is Eve Langlais and I am an International Bestselling author who loves to write hot romance, usually with werewolves, cyborgs or aliens .
I should warn you, I have a twisted imagination and a sarcastic sense of humor something I like to let loose in my writing. While well known for my shifter stories, I am also extremely partial to aliens, the kind who like to abduct humans and then drive them insane...with pleasure. Or do you like something a little darker, more serious? Then check out my cyborgs whose battle with humanity have captivated readers worldwide.
If you'd like to know more, read some excerpts or find out what I’m working on, then please visit me at http://www.EveLanglais.com or sign up for my newsletter at http://www.evelanglais.com/newrelease .
I am also extremely active on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/eve.langlais.98
Hello, my name is Eve Langlais and I am an International Bestselling author who loves to write hot romance, usually with werewolves, cyborgs or aliens .
I should warn you, I have a twisted imagination and a sarcastic sense of humor something I like to let loose in my writing. While well known for my shifter stories, I am also extremely partial to aliens, the kind who like to abduct humans and then drive them insane...with pleasure. Or do you like something a little darker, more serious? Then check out my cyborgs whose battle with humanity have captivated readers worldwide.
If you'd like to know more, read some excerpts or find out what I’m working on, then please visit me at http://www.EveLanglais.com or sign up for my newsletter at http://www.evelanglais.com/newrelease .
I am also extremely active on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/eve.langlais.98
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 75 reviews
March 8, 2020
Toxic Dust by Eve Langlais
1st book in the post-apocalyptic Deviant Future series.
Laura is a worker in the Dome. She works and follows the rules because any deviant behavior is swiftly dealt with. The Dome is all she has even known. She is naive and without hope. When she fights off a childish monster, her life is thrown into chaos. Laura finds herself out in the wasteland and fighting for her life. Are the deviants all she’s been told?
A fast paced, enthralling read that I didn’t want to put down. It’s an after nuclear world with surprises around every corner. Wonderful world building and a romance that goes from innocence to hot and sexy. From mindless drone worker to powers of the mind that can cause disruption and death.
I listened to the audio version which was narrated by Heather Costa. I also have a paperback and ecopy of this book.
1st book in the post-apocalyptic Deviant Future series.
Laura is a worker in the Dome. She works and follows the rules because any deviant behavior is swiftly dealt with. The Dome is all she has even known. She is naive and without hope. When she fights off a childish monster, her life is thrown into chaos. Laura finds herself out in the wasteland and fighting for her life. Are the deviants all she’s been told?
A fast paced, enthralling read that I didn’t want to put down. It’s an after nuclear world with surprises around every corner. Wonderful world building and a romance that goes from innocence to hot and sexy. From mindless drone worker to powers of the mind that can cause disruption and death.
I listened to the audio version which was narrated by Heather Costa. I also have a paperback and ecopy of this book.
October 11, 2020
Real rating: 2.5⭐︎
This one is just...EH.
Langlais has such interesting ideas for SFR and dystopian writing, but her characters and their relationships seem to suffer for it. If I were rating this work on ideas and world building alone, it would be a solid 4; she did not hold any punches with how effed up the Earth got during one catastrophic event—greatly exacerbated by panicky humanity's response to it. Witnessing the shit-show that is the US's dealing with COVID-19 right now? Yeah. I could totally buy that events played out as-written. I no longer question how willfully stupid and short-sighted people in charge can be.
That being said, as much as I love world building, the first couple chapters of this one feel like they never end. There's so much crammed into them, and none of it really endears the characters to you. It didn't really improve much as the story moved along, either. I kept wishing something would finally get them and end things early.
Laura is pretty annoying, yes, but being unlikable isn't really her worst fault in this. She was done dirty and written as a bunch of mashed up romance/YA genre tropes and never given a chance to be an actual person. She was too busy being The Pretty One Who Doesn't Believe She's Pretty, The Super Naive to the Point It's Laughable Virgin, Terrified of Everything Yet Runs Into Danger, Willful and Stubborn Just to Prove How Smart and Capable She Is, Secret Child of Someone Unnamed but VERY POWERFUL, and The Chosen One, The Strongest Of All. There was too much super-speshul going on in here, and I have to wonder if there was a struggle developing her as a character and tropes were just easier to fall back on.
Axel, eh. Axel's gifts are not really revealed until the end, then he goes full god mode.
What was hinted at was this:
But what we got was something much more...extreme and out of left field. Not everything needs to be revealed up front, but a few crumbs in his chapters would have made that less of a "COME ON" moment. This story had too many of those for my taste.
Interesting ideas, didn't love the execution. A lot about this story just didn't work for me, and it's another series I will not be continuing.
This one is just...EH.
Langlais has such interesting ideas for SFR and dystopian writing, but her characters and their relationships seem to suffer for it. If I were rating this work on ideas and world building alone, it would be a solid 4; she did not hold any punches with how effed up the Earth got during one catastrophic event—greatly exacerbated by panicky humanity's response to it. Witnessing the shit-show that is the US's dealing with COVID-19 right now? Yeah. I could totally buy that events played out as-written. I no longer question how willfully stupid and short-sighted people in charge can be.
That being said, as much as I love world building, the first couple chapters of this one feel like they never end. There's so much crammed into them, and none of it really endears the characters to you. It didn't really improve much as the story moved along, either. I kept wishing something would finally get them and end things early.
Laura is pretty annoying, yes, but being unlikable isn't really her worst fault in this. She was done dirty and written as a bunch of mashed up romance/YA genre tropes and never given a chance to be an actual person. She was too busy being The Pretty One Who Doesn't Believe She's Pretty, The Super Naive to the Point It's Laughable Virgin, Terrified of Everything Yet Runs Into Danger, Willful and Stubborn Just to Prove How Smart and Capable She Is, Secret Child of Someone Unnamed but VERY POWERFUL, and The Chosen One, The Strongest Of All. There was too much super-speshul going on in here, and I have to wonder if there was a struggle developing her as a character and tropes were just easier to fall back on.
Axel, eh. Axel's gifts are not really revealed until the end, then he goes full god mode.
What was hinted at was this:
But what we got was something much more...extreme and out of left field. Not everything needs to be revealed up front, but a few crumbs in his chapters would have made that less of a "COME ON" moment. This story had too many of those for my taste.
Interesting ideas, didn't love the execution. A lot about this story just didn't work for me, and it's another series I will not be continuing.
October 1, 2020
This author is wonderful at world-building. She is also adept at erotic romance. This book has a lot of the first, and very little of the second. The world-building is first-rate, with the reader discovering clues along the way, not through info-dumps (except the prologue). Unfortunately, the hero is more than reluctant, and the heroine is intentionally and painfully naive. The secondary characters are intriguing, but the bad guys are really lame.
I will continue to track this author, but not this series.
I will continue to track this author, but not this series.
January 28, 2020
This book was actually really good. It was interesting and had such a sweet romance. The only issue I had with it was there were some typos that I found distracting, but I don't think that is enough to take a star away.
January 24, 2023
Yes I know it's dystopian but it's also pure escapism and sometimes that's exactly what I need to read !
January 16, 2024
This is an excellent example of why I'm drawn to apocalyptic romance weird as that might be. Toxic Dust has incredible world building. As I was reading long I really felt like the world as we know it has ended and in this future world, huge divisions in the remaining humans has sprung up, animals and vegetation mutated and each day, at least among the free society could be their last. There's a feeling of intensity that isn't in a normal setting and strong bonds develop quickly.
The premise of the story; Laura, our heroine lives like a drone in a very 1984-ish world. It's chilling to read, just as 1984 is. This all changes when she displays unnatural abilities and immediately she is drugged and whisked away. Whatever they have planned for her is ruined when the truck she's been imprisoned in is hijacked by those living a free yet terrifying life outside the dome that were set up after an asteroid changed the world.
The leader of the gang of hijackers, Axel, doesn't know what to do with her. His natural reaction, though he denies it, is to save those who need saving but by selling her back to those who held her, he will get much needed supplies for those under his care in the wasteland. Plus Laura wants to go back. She refuses to believe what those free tell her about her world as she knows it.
But this, being an apocalyptic romance, has romance as its core. And it's intense between Laura and Axel. He is a born leader of men though he completely denies it. He's a very well written and compelling hero. Laura is very stubborn and while at first she refuses to believe the obvious, but when her eyes are opened, she will do anything to help or save Axel and the group she has been accepted by.
I highly recommend Toxic Dust if this is a genre you enjoy. It ends on a cliffhanger, though not between Adam and Laura but a cliffhanger for a secondary character. And of course I have to get it to find out what happens. The price is higher than I normally pay for ebooks but if the others in this series are as good as this one, I will very gladly pay it.
The premise of the story; Laura, our heroine lives like a drone in a very 1984-ish world. It's chilling to read, just as 1984 is. This all changes when she displays unnatural abilities and immediately she is drugged and whisked away. Whatever they have planned for her is ruined when the truck she's been imprisoned in is hijacked by those living a free yet terrifying life outside the dome that were set up after an asteroid changed the world.
The leader of the gang of hijackers, Axel, doesn't know what to do with her. His natural reaction, though he denies it, is to save those who need saving but by selling her back to those who held her, he will get much needed supplies for those under his care in the wasteland. Plus Laura wants to go back. She refuses to believe what those free tell her about her world as she knows it.
But this, being an apocalyptic romance, has romance as its core. And it's intense between Laura and Axel. He is a born leader of men though he completely denies it. He's a very well written and compelling hero. Laura is very stubborn and while at first she refuses to believe the obvious, but when her eyes are opened, she will do anything to help or save Axel and the group she has been accepted by.
I highly recommend Toxic Dust if this is a genre you enjoy. It ends on a cliffhanger, though not between Adam and Laura but a cliffhanger for a secondary character. And of course I have to get it to find out what happens. The price is higher than I normally pay for ebooks but if the others in this series are as good as this one, I will very gladly pay it.
December 6, 2022
Оповідь служниці × Шалений Макс
March 14, 2020
Great world-building and plotting. Can't wait to see what happens in the next book.
April 19, 2020
I didn’t hate Toxic Dust but I, definitely, didn’t love it either. It was what I expected from the cover: a cheesy as heck dystopian romance. Toxic Dust takes place in a post apocalyptic world where dust from a meteor shower proved toxic to the world, killed a bunch of people, and over time changed their genetic makeup. Now, in present day, people either live in domes or out in the wasteland. Laura is a dome resident brainwashed by the doctrine of the dome leaders. One day she finds herself in the wasteland and among the deviants who live there. Laura finds herself falling for the leader of the deviants. She starts to question everything she has been taught.
Like I said prior, this book is cheesy. I wanted cheesy so decided to give it a go. Then, I think it was just me because I have been in this weird reading slump it felt like I had make myself finish this book. It wasn’t bad it was just very very predictable. The romance was just okay. Toxic Dust was just, for me, a decent book with an interesting world but a predictable plot.
Like I said prior, this book is cheesy. I wanted cheesy so decided to give it a go. Then, I think it was just me because I have been in this weird reading slump it felt like I had make myself finish this book. It wasn’t bad it was just very very predictable. The romance was just okay. Toxic Dust was just, for me, a decent book with an interesting world but a predictable plot.
December 20, 2022
While I have read other books from this author, I hadn't for awhile. The Dystopian concept intrigued me and the writing was well done, but the characters weren't interesting enough to get me excited to continue the series. I don't know if it was too many different characters within the H/h's storyline or not. Axel was likeable and well meaning in his struggle to protect those that fell into his world. Loyal and strong. His story in the end seemed a bit rushed in order to get to achieve the results needed within the story and its ending. Laura was a bit too milk toast. Lots of Power with no control or effort to learn how to control. This book seemed to focus more on the horrible world within the domes that they people surviving the end of earth as we know.
Not sure what was missing. I am feeling the urge start the next book in the series. Gunner and Cassidy seem like two characters that would be fun to read about, but am still on the fence, to continue or not.
Not feeling like this book was worth 100% of my time or $$.
Not sure what was missing. I am feeling the urge start the next book in the series. Gunner and Cassidy seem like two characters that would be fun to read about, but am still on the fence, to continue or not.
Not feeling like this book was worth 100% of my time or $$.
March 16, 2020
I’m sorry, I just could not get into this book.
March 11, 2020
I really liked this new series.
At first I really didn't like Laura. For someone who was brought up to never question anything and keep quiet, she was quite the opposite and was too stubborn. She got a clue later on in the book and become better liked.
At first I really didn't like Laura. For someone who was brought up to never question anything and keep quiet, she was quite the opposite and was too stubborn. She got a clue later on in the book and become better liked.
March 4, 2020
I’ve been anxiously awaiting this new series by Eve. It’s not unheard of for me to only get to read a couple of her books in a series because the timing of the releases just doesn’t work out. Well I’m here to tell you, I’m in this one for the long haul. I’ve got all the release dates on the calendar so my reading time is blocked off.
To the story, right? The world consists of earth after a nuclear war and a meteorite shower that destroys pretty much everything. Some people went underground and some built shelters called Domes on the surface to clean the air humans to live in. For those that don’t live in the domes, they usually end up with some sort of “Deviant Nature,” be that extra appendages or magic. The leaders of the Domes want to exploit those with “Deviant” Magic to keep their people strong. Although this is not what they tell people because they wouldn’t get so many to blindly follow if they did.
When one of the lower born citizens starts to question things as her magic awakens, she heads straight into a lot of trouble, both inside and outside the domes. Thankfully the person who catches her and starts it all rolling is really a teddy bear under all the bluster and immense handsomeness. Otherwise it could have gone much worse. By the end of this book, they get their some-kind of HEA!…I mean they are still fighting for a place that doesn’t include hiding and trying to figure out her lineage and everything she is capable of.
This new world comes with lots of great characters like the 3-armed doctor and the soothsayer whose age is undetermined, to the crazy cat who leads everyone on a chase. It’s a place full of life, that you have to look real hard to see because circumstances are so much bigger than the life. I can’t wait to read the next one in the series: Wasteland Treasure. From the blurb it looks like we’ll see some more weather patterns of mystery and I’m sure we’ll get another HEA out of it. Eve keep’em coming, we are ready for this new world. I’m giving this one a 4.5 of 5 because there is a bit of a cliffhanger, not around the love affair, but in the story itself. And I’ll be back in April with a first look at Wasteland Treasure!!
To the story, right? The world consists of earth after a nuclear war and a meteorite shower that destroys pretty much everything. Some people went underground and some built shelters called Domes on the surface to clean the air humans to live in. For those that don’t live in the domes, they usually end up with some sort of “Deviant Nature,” be that extra appendages or magic. The leaders of the Domes want to exploit those with “Deviant” Magic to keep their people strong. Although this is not what they tell people because they wouldn’t get so many to blindly follow if they did.
When one of the lower born citizens starts to question things as her magic awakens, she heads straight into a lot of trouble, both inside and outside the domes. Thankfully the person who catches her and starts it all rolling is really a teddy bear under all the bluster and immense handsomeness. Otherwise it could have gone much worse. By the end of this book, they get their some-kind of HEA!…I mean they are still fighting for a place that doesn’t include hiding and trying to figure out her lineage and everything she is capable of.
This new world comes with lots of great characters like the 3-armed doctor and the soothsayer whose age is undetermined, to the crazy cat who leads everyone on a chase. It’s a place full of life, that you have to look real hard to see because circumstances are so much bigger than the life. I can’t wait to read the next one in the series: Wasteland Treasure. From the blurb it looks like we’ll see some more weather patterns of mystery and I’m sure we’ll get another HEA out of it. Eve keep’em coming, we are ready for this new world. I’m giving this one a 4.5 of 5 because there is a bit of a cliffhanger, not around the love affair, but in the story itself. And I’ll be back in April with a first look at Wasteland Treasure!!
March 7, 2020
The first book in the Deviant Future series hits the ground running and doesn’t let up! After the Earth was mostly destroyed, those people who survived adapt and evolve in order to keep surviving. The domes are highly regulated, and everyone has their assigned jobs. While Laura does her job and follows the rules, she keeps her doubts to herself.
Axel is a survivor, and does what he needs to do to protect his fellow deviants. When he encounters Laura, his world is rocked to the core. She wants to return, and he can get a good deal for selling her – so why does he hesitate?
This is an excellent start to the series, and I’m eager to see where it goes next. This dystopian tale proves that while cities may crumble to dust, love will always be there. Although greed will be there too, love will hopefully always win.
Axel is a survivor, and does what he needs to do to protect his fellow deviants. When he encounters Laura, his world is rocked to the core. She wants to return, and he can get a good deal for selling her – so why does he hesitate?
This is an excellent start to the series, and I’m eager to see where it goes next. This dystopian tale proves that while cities may crumble to dust, love will always be there. Although greed will be there too, love will hopefully always win.
March 2, 2021
This book has a darker more serious tone than most of Eve Langlais' usual works. I liked it except it took me a while to not roll my eyes at Laura. Her misguided ideology just goes to show how easily people can get brainwashed.
Axel is stubborn and doesn't give up on Laura even though he claims he'll sell her back to the Enclave. Good world building and a cast of interesting side characters.
I'm jumping right into book 2
Axel is stubborn and doesn't give up on Laura even though he claims he'll sell her back to the Enclave. Good world building and a cast of interesting side characters.
I'm jumping right into book 2
March 6, 2020
Wow that was awesome
Solo picked it up to check it out cuz I like dystopian. I can honestly say the world building and character creation is epic. I liked the new look at earth after an extinctions event. I would recommend this book of you like magic, change and a new look at earth
Solo picked it up to check it out cuz I like dystopian. I can honestly say the world building and character creation is epic. I liked the new look at earth after an extinctions event. I would recommend this book of you like magic, change and a new look at earth
January 17, 2022
3.75 ☆
March 4, 2020
Holy Crap!!!! I haven’t read a book in a long time that had me rushing home from work to read or filtered into my mind while I was at work. Such an amazingly written story. Absolutely lived Toxic Dust! Can’t wait for Gunner.
February 29, 2020
Paranormal dystopian romance
This is going to be a good series. In this first book we briefly learn how the earth and the people were changed from what it was to what it now is, a dangerous wasteland. Everything that has survived has evolved and not always for the better.
I like Axel. Laura irritated me until about 3/4 through the story. She grew on me and ended up being the hero. There are several interesting side characters.
I'll be interested to learn more about those in the Domes as well as any other Wastelanders, and the rumored King.
This is going to be a good series. In this first book we briefly learn how the earth and the people were changed from what it was to what it now is, a dangerous wasteland. Everything that has survived has evolved and not always for the better.
I like Axel. Laura irritated me until about 3/4 through the story. She grew on me and ended up being the hero. There are several interesting side characters.
I'll be interested to learn more about those in the Domes as well as any other Wastelanders, and the rumored King.
February 26, 2020
Awesome start to a new series
Toxic Dust was such a roller coaster! There were so many unexpected moments, seriously imaginative creatures, and lovable characters that I just couldn’t put the book down. There were times I thought Axel was awful, times I wanted to throat punch Laura, and times that I was so proud of each of them. If this story is any indication, this series will be epic!
Toxic Dust was such a roller coaster! There were so many unexpected moments, seriously imaginative creatures, and lovable characters that I just couldn’t put the book down. There were times I thought Axel was awful, times I wanted to throat punch Laura, and times that I was so proud of each of them. If this story is any indication, this series will be epic!
April 5, 2020
I BLAME THIS ON THE HEROINE BEING SO ANNOYINGLY NAIVE MORE THAN HALF OF THE STORY THAT I COULDN'T WHOLLY ENJOY IT.
AXEL is the default leader of the rebels living outside the Dome. Earth as we know here has been destroyed by foreign space asteroids and the dust that came with it altered biology, creating a whole new world with dangerous wild beasts and nature is no longer just that. When one of their raids yielded an Enclave female, Axel assumed her to be a spy but the woman is frustratingly fearful of his people, a prude and an Enclave snob who has been terribly brainwashed and ignorant to the point of stupid. I'm amazed that Axel is attracted to her...maybe she rouses the protective instincts in him...but I'd say he's so goddamned patient with her, he deserves Sainthood. Axel himself is a deviant with equally cool powers of being able to communicate with animals. He's also a pretty good leader even if he denies having any authority amongst the motley group that gathers around him. I like Axel. He was a strong, capable leader that you'll definitely want to protect your sorry ass in a world like this.
LAURA. Where do I even begin? I think the author did a splendid job of depicting her as an Enclave slave because she has been brainwashed to the point of having no common sense at all. At 27, she's considered a late bloomer when her powers showed and suddenly she's being transported to become a Madre - in other words a breeder for the Enclave. She believed it to be a prestigious roles but the horrible truth behind it is that the females are used to be forcefully bred like cows for babies. The Enclave is a sterile, regimented and almost hostile environment to live in that dictates the life of every being beneath its dome YET people like Laura doesn't know better. I enjoy meek heroines but at least those who have intelligence to make up for it. Laura doesn't. She's like the pathetic puppy at the roadside waiting to be kicked. I hated that...I honestly felt a perverse satisfaction when she was railed at for being stupid several times in the book by the other characters.
OVERALL this is an interesting start to the series, though I hope we get to meet a kickass heroine in the next one.
AXEL is the default leader of the rebels living outside the Dome. Earth as we know here has been destroyed by foreign space asteroids and the dust that came with it altered biology, creating a whole new world with dangerous wild beasts and nature is no longer just that. When one of their raids yielded an Enclave female, Axel assumed her to be a spy but the woman is frustratingly fearful of his people, a prude and an Enclave snob who has been terribly brainwashed and ignorant to the point of stupid. I'm amazed that Axel is attracted to her...maybe she rouses the protective instincts in him...but I'd say he's so goddamned patient with her, he deserves Sainthood. Axel himself is a deviant with equally cool powers of being able to communicate with animals. He's also a pretty good leader even if he denies having any authority amongst the motley group that gathers around him. I like Axel. He was a strong, capable leader that you'll definitely want to protect your sorry ass in a world like this.
LAURA. Where do I even begin? I think the author did a splendid job of depicting her as an Enclave slave because she has been brainwashed to the point of having no common sense at all. At 27, she's considered a late bloomer when her powers showed and suddenly she's being transported to become a Madre - in other words a breeder for the Enclave. She believed it to be a prestigious roles but the horrible truth behind it is that the females are used to be forcefully bred like cows for babies. The Enclave is a sterile, regimented and almost hostile environment to live in that dictates the life of every being beneath its dome YET people like Laura doesn't know better. I enjoy meek heroines but at least those who have intelligence to make up for it. Laura doesn't. She's like the pathetic puppy at the roadside waiting to be kicked. I hated that...I honestly felt a perverse satisfaction when she was railed at for being stupid several times in the book by the other characters.
OVERALL this is an interesting start to the series, though I hope we get to meet a kickass heroine in the next one.
February 15, 2021
Ehhhh.
Started off so promising. Then came the dialogue. The talking kept dragging on and on, and it wouldn't stop...
A bazillion characters were introduced all at once, making it hard to keep track of who was who, and the main couple disappeared into the fray. One good thing though, as ignorant and naive Laura was, this really showed the scary reality of being completely brainwashed, so I can't really fault her for being dense. Still annoying, though. Her transition from dumb to enlightened wasn't handled really well, either.
I'm willing to give the rest of the series a try since the premise and worldbuilding are solid.
Started off so promising. Then came the dialogue. The talking kept dragging on and on, and it wouldn't stop...
A bazillion characters were introduced all at once, making it hard to keep track of who was who, and the main couple disappeared into the fray. One good thing though, as ignorant and naive Laura was, this really showed the scary reality of being completely brainwashed, so I can't really fault her for being dense. Still annoying, though. Her transition from dumb to enlightened wasn't handled really well, either.
I'm willing to give the rest of the series a try since the premise and worldbuilding are solid.
August 30, 2025
Better than her other recent release almost similar to this title, Toxic. I enjoyed this story better than the other. However, parts felt hurried towards the end, somewhat. I do look forward in continuing this series. I wondered if Langlais could expand further from PNRs and Cyborg sci-fi. She did a Wonderful job at world building and character building. I also think that this is the only story where the h isn’t annoyingly defiant to the point of irritating.
January 9, 2022
DNF. I just couldn't like the heroine. Too brainwashed, she came across as dumb. I'll still try another of her books though. The last in this series has better ratings, maybe I'll try that.
February 8, 2025
I listened to it on audible today, I found it really interesting I always loved post apocalyptic movies. In this book the world as we know it ended by space particles crashing to earth that carries toxic dust.
Those who didn’t die evolved, there are government run domes where the people in side are brainwashed into believing that nothing survives outside the dome and that anyone outside are savage, monsters that are deformed.
We meet Laura she’s 27 and lives a very bleak life inside the dome, until one day well getting stuck with the job of babysitting a bunch of 2 year olds one little boy used magic to make her and the other babies see a monster. She ended up using a blast with her mind to push the boy and disperse his hologram.
Within minutes the person running her Dome took her and told her she was being moved to a breeding dome. Laura being so sheltered was told babies were made basically by machines not by women like her!
The truck that was to deliver her was taken over by raiders or RATs as they are often called. They were hoping to find food or something but only found another mouth to feed.
Laura keeps insisting she wants to go back so the leader sets up a plan to sell her back to the government. Then the leader and her fall in love and she no longer wants to go but says they should fake it so they could get supplies but things go wrong.
She brought to a breeding dome and they drug her do she can’t use her powers, the man that runs the place is a creep who gets off on other people’s pain.
The raider she fell ominously love with breaks into the place to save her but it’s another trap.
After he takes her back to their home the government is there and some people die, then they find a tracking chip in her and get it out.
Finally they decided to take over the breeding dome as their new home since lots of the people were already killed. The bad guy springs another trap but Laura was able to kill him.
Those who didn’t die evolved, there are government run domes where the people in side are brainwashed into believing that nothing survives outside the dome and that anyone outside are savage, monsters that are deformed.
We meet Laura she’s 27 and lives a very bleak life inside the dome, until one day well getting stuck with the job of babysitting a bunch of 2 year olds one little boy used magic to make her and the other babies see a monster. She ended up using a blast with her mind to push the boy and disperse his hologram.
Within minutes the person running her Dome took her and told her she was being moved to a breeding dome. Laura being so sheltered was told babies were made basically by machines not by women like her!
The truck that was to deliver her was taken over by raiders or RATs as they are often called. They were hoping to find food or something but only found another mouth to feed.
Laura keeps insisting she wants to go back so the leader sets up a plan to sell her back to the government. Then the leader and her fall in love and she no longer wants to go but says they should fake it so they could get supplies but things go wrong.
She brought to a breeding dome and they drug her do she can’t use her powers, the man that runs the place is a creep who gets off on other people’s pain.
The raider she fell ominously love with breaks into the place to save her but it’s another trap.
After he takes her back to their home the government is there and some people die, then they find a tracking chip in her and get it out.
Finally they decided to take over the breeding dome as their new home since lots of the people were already killed. The bad guy springs another trap but Laura was able to kill him.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 27, 2020
2.5 stars
I was delighted to read a dystopian series for adults. Unfortunately this was a bit disappointing. This book confirms my reasons for hating series with a different couple in each book. Those first 1 or 2 chapters from Axel's POV were unreadable. About 100 characters were mentioned in the space of a few pages and nothing was going in my head. Why can't author's just focus on the current book rather than setting up all future books? Anyway, I liked the world-building and I really liked the story. It was the characters that didn't do it for me. Axel was annoying and hypocritical and Laura was annoying and weak. At one point the romance felt a bit inappropriate. Laura was way too innocent; she never interacted with a man, didn't know about sex, or what a pregnant woman looked like or even how babies are made. Then we have Axel kissing her to make more compliant. And for a woman who didn't even know what kissing was, she forms a sexual relationship with no issues or complications later on. It was kind of laughable. So, it was an okay book, but had a few faults. Don't think I'll bother with the rest of the series.
I was delighted to read a dystopian series for adults. Unfortunately this was a bit disappointing. This book confirms my reasons for hating series with a different couple in each book. Those first 1 or 2 chapters from Axel's POV were unreadable. About 100 characters were mentioned in the space of a few pages and nothing was going in my head. Why can't author's just focus on the current book rather than setting up all future books? Anyway, I liked the world-building and I really liked the story. It was the characters that didn't do it for me. Axel was annoying and hypocritical and Laura was annoying and weak. At one point the romance felt a bit inappropriate. Laura was way too innocent; she never interacted with a man, didn't know about sex, or what a pregnant woman looked like or even how babies are made. Then we have Axel kissing her to make more compliant. And for a woman who didn't even know what kissing was, she forms a sexual relationship with no issues or complications later on. It was kind of laughable. So, it was an okay book, but had a few faults. Don't think I'll bother with the rest of the series.
June 11, 2024
I voluntarily reviewed a copy of "TOXIC DUST" it takes place in post apocalyptic world where dust from meteor shower proved toxic to the world killing alot of people, over time changing their genetic makeup, in present day people either live in domes or out in wasteland.
Laura is a dome resident brainwashed by the doctrine of the dome leaders then she ends up in the wasteland among the deviants who live there, she ends up falling for leader of the deviants & questions everything she's been taught.
Axel was strong well meaning in his struggle to help those who fell into his world loyal & strong Laura he doesn't know what to do with her his natural reaction even if he denies it is to save who needs saving, if he sells her for supplies for those under his care in the wasteland.
I definitely recommend to get this riviting story Axel & Laura take you on quite the adventure he's a born leader of men though he denies it, Laura will do anything to help save Axel & his group she's been accepted by must a read you can't miss, looking forward to next book after the cliffhanger.
EXCELLENT APOCALYPTIC ROMANCE I ENJOYED IT ALOT. 🖤🖤🖤🖤
Laura is a dome resident brainwashed by the doctrine of the dome leaders then she ends up in the wasteland among the deviants who live there, she ends up falling for leader of the deviants & questions everything she's been taught.
Axel was strong well meaning in his struggle to help those who fell into his world loyal & strong Laura he doesn't know what to do with her his natural reaction even if he denies it is to save who needs saving, if he sells her for supplies for those under his care in the wasteland.
I definitely recommend to get this riviting story Axel & Laura take you on quite the adventure he's a born leader of men though he denies it, Laura will do anything to help save Axel & his group she's been accepted by must a read you can't miss, looking forward to next book after the cliffhanger.
EXCELLENT APOCALYPTIC ROMANCE I ENJOYED IT ALOT. 🖤🖤🖤🖤
March 25, 2020
This was the best read of the month for me.
I absolutely loved loved loved this book. I mean come on an adult dystopian book what's not to love. This is Laura and Axel's book. Imagine a world destroyed by meteors and the radiation from nuclear bombs creating toxic dust. Those who survived has to adapt those who didn't where the ones living in domes. Laura is promoted and being moved when Axel and his team jack her transport. Laura has never been outside the dome she's terrified and to make it worse they think she's a spy. Axel has enough people living in Haven he doesn't need anymore but when they find Laura who's only ever been taught lies he doesn't no what to do. Y'all I can't say no more it would give away the plot. But let me tell you I couldn't put this book down. I was hooked from beginning to end. Can humanity make a stand? Will they eh able to overcome those who rule and just live?
I absolutely loved loved loved this book. I mean come on an adult dystopian book what's not to love. This is Laura and Axel's book. Imagine a world destroyed by meteors and the radiation from nuclear bombs creating toxic dust. Those who survived has to adapt those who didn't where the ones living in domes. Laura is promoted and being moved when Axel and his team jack her transport. Laura has never been outside the dome she's terrified and to make it worse they think she's a spy. Axel has enough people living in Haven he doesn't need anymore but when they find Laura who's only ever been taught lies he doesn't no what to do. Y'all I can't say no more it would give away the plot. But let me tell you I couldn't put this book down. I was hooked from beginning to end. Can humanity make a stand? Will they eh able to overcome those who rule and just live?
December 4, 2022
a little scary
In the future, a meteor shower and bombs reshape the earth. Domes are where some live and the Wasteland is where the “Deviants” live. Laura is the lowest in the Dome, she watches the two year olds. When she exhibits a strange power, she is promoted and moved to another dome. They are making her a Madre, which she believes is a great thing. While in transportation, the truck is high jacked and she is taken. Axel is the leader of his little band of marauders. He was a loner until he saved other people who escaped the domes. Laura was taught that anything outside the domes was bad and wants to go back. Axel decides to trade her but she finally opens her eyes to the lies she’s been told. When their plan backfires, can Axel save her in time?
A savage Earth. A leader who doesn’t want to lead. A woman brainwashed. Strangers that become family. Interesting story. Action.
In the future, a meteor shower and bombs reshape the earth. Domes are where some live and the Wasteland is where the “Deviants” live. Laura is the lowest in the Dome, she watches the two year olds. When she exhibits a strange power, she is promoted and moved to another dome. They are making her a Madre, which she believes is a great thing. While in transportation, the truck is high jacked and she is taken. Axel is the leader of his little band of marauders. He was a loner until he saved other people who escaped the domes. Laura was taught that anything outside the domes was bad and wants to go back. Axel decides to trade her but she finally opens her eyes to the lies she’s been told. When their plan backfires, can Axel save her in time?
A savage Earth. A leader who doesn’t want to lead. A woman brainwashed. Strangers that become family. Interesting story. Action.
August 20, 2023
This was fun. I like the world the author created in which many humans have attributes that would traditionally be considered scary, weird, evil, or disabling, but are unique strengths for them.
The MMC is the leader of a group of outcasts. He takes his role as their physical and emotional protector very seriously. The FMC is an outwardly normal human who lives an extremely sheltered existence under strict government control. She unwittingly ends up in the MMC’s stronghold.
I really appreciated the MMC’s patience with the FMC. I loved how he was understanding of the FMC’s lack of knowledge and acceptance due to the deep brainwashing and conditioning of her background, but balanced his tolerance with clearly communicated boundaries and standards of behavior and was firm in not allowing her to insult others.
I also enjoyed the side characters. I want more of their stories. I’ll continue the series.
Kindle
4
The MMC is the leader of a group of outcasts. He takes his role as their physical and emotional protector very seriously. The FMC is an outwardly normal human who lives an extremely sheltered existence under strict government control. She unwittingly ends up in the MMC’s stronghold.
I really appreciated the MMC’s patience with the FMC. I loved how he was understanding of the FMC’s lack of knowledge and acceptance due to the deep brainwashing and conditioning of her background, but balanced his tolerance with clearly communicated boundaries and standards of behavior and was firm in not allowing her to insult others.
I also enjoyed the side characters. I want more of their stories. I’ll continue the series.
Kindle
4
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