Rake and Scrape

Bounty Hunter #4

by Rachel Aukes

The wastelands are on the brink of war.

Fifteen years after the Revolution, things are worse than ever.

The wastelands ignite when Far Town takes a stand against the Monuments Republic Command. As the tanks roll in, the people must decide if they are willing to sacrifice everything to take on the government. The stakes have never been higher…and it’s winner takes all. The bounty hunters have sided with the rebels, but things go awry when the mysterious Zenith State captures two of "Havoc" Joe Ballast's closest friends. In the midst of revolution, he must launch a rescue, but the deeper he goes into Zenith, the more secrets he uncovers.

Heroics, sacrifice, and courage are needed by the bounty hunters if they are to survive deadly experiments, manipulative AIs, relentless cyborgs, and a brutal slaughter planned by their own government.

The end of the Monuments Republic Command begins now.

Genres: Science Fiction, Dystopia, Post Apocalyptic

268 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 4, 2020

About the author

Rachel Aukes is the bestselling author of over forty books, including 100 Days in Deadland, which made Suspense Magazine’s Best of the Year list. She writes in a number of genres, including science fiction, fantasy, horror, thriller, and more. Her series includes Waymaker Wars, Space Troopers, Flight of the Javelin, Fringe, Deadland Saga, Colliding Worlds, and Guardians of the Seven Seals. Her novels have repeatedly been Amazon Top 100 bestsellers and #1 bestsellers in Horror, Post-Apocalyptic, Space Fleet, Space Marine, Galactic Empire, Colonization, Alien Invasion, and Cyberpunk. When not writing, Rachel can be found flying old airplanes with an incredibly spoiled dog over the Iowa countryside.

Reviews

[Alyssa (HeartwyldsLibrary) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would like to say thank you to the Author for providing me with an ARC in return for an honest review!


Sometimes I sit back and just wonder “what did this character do to the author to deserve this treatment”
That sums up my feelings regarding Kit!!! I’m pretty certain I expressed high levels of stress over him in book 2!!! Leave him alone!!

Okay now that that is sort of out of my system (I’m keeping my guards up from now on!) Bounty Hunter: Rake and Scrape does not disappoint! Joe is back at it getting himself tangled up in the worst possible situations. But it’s not just him, Kit, Rex and Val also get wrapped in the worst possible situations that just leave you stunned. This installment did not hold back. Limbs where lost, lives were ended, war as erupted and one of the guys who I thought I couldn’t trust turned out I could (I hope, I mean there is gonna be 2 more books in the series so to say I’m worried would be an understatement)

We got to explore another new location in this installment which is honestly one of my favorite parts about each book. Every book unveils another location in the desolate world. And each one seems worse then that last, the Tar Flats are not a place I would ever want to visit. Also this of course means more and more corruption is underway.

I have no clue what Cason’s goals are with Zenith and frankly I love that story wise because it makes you want to keep reading to find out what his plans are, but I would be fine if Zenith ceases to exist.

We also had so much more Scorpion this time and I actually really enjoyed her character. I really enjoyed that she had her limits in what she was capable of doing and wasn’t some unstoppable force. Nick and Romy took a turn that I was kind of expecting after the way book 3 ended but it wasn’t as bad I thought it would be. We also got a tiny bit more background on Rex (but not enough for me haha)

I’m definitely glad this is getting two more books because the direction things have gone in definitely could not have been wrapped up in this book. There is so much going on and I’m very interested in seeing where the story leads next.

Also there is just shit tons of action! The story just doesn’t stop.

(Seriously what did Kit do?!?! My heart can’t take this, and no this isn’t an open invitation to go after Joe instead)

[Viking Jam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Review: The last is finally upon us, and it finishes with no resolution to keep that door open for future novels.

This was much better than Nothing to Nobody. Val does become a love addled twit, which was a shame and a huge departure from her normal hard-ass persona.

There were some huge continuity errors that plagued this series. In this instance, Joe jumps in a swamp and dumps his exoshield and a few chapters later has his exoshield. Really?

This author needs to write for the reader and reflect the genre she has chosen to write about. This is good when believable and total shjt when not.

Rating: 3.3/5

[Asiaman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book from Rachel. I truly enjoyed it

[Wayne Fielding · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant, such a good series.

[Theo · Rating 5 out of 5]

For once, it isn't Joe's plans that go awry. He just has to fix Val and Kit's misadventures.

Joe continues struggling with letting Nick grow up, which is happening way too fast, but should be expected in this world in its current state.

Even one-handed, Rex finds ways to keep life interesting, beyond his normal one track mind mode.

While things come to a head with Zenith and the crew, the ending turns out differently than expected setting up for confrontation between the major players down the road.

This was a fast-action packed read. Looking forward to the next one.

I was provided with an eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

[Lisa Omstead · Rating 5 out of 5]

This thrilling, post-apocalyptic series quickly became one of my favorites. It takes place around 500 years in the future after a pandemic caused world-wide collapse of infrastructure as well as ecological disaster from nuclear war. Surviving humans were forced underground where they lived in specially built silos until it was deemed safe to return to what was left of Earth’s surface. This last story in the series is a rollercoaster of suspense, peppered with comic relief and packed with well-developed characters (both good and evil) who are caught up in a world of hurt and facing nearly unsurvivable odds. I'm really hoping for a spin-off from this series. It’s just that good!

[Sherry Vaughan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Too Notch

Far Town is in big trouble and Joe, et al., can't help. Rex is injured and Joe has gone on a rescue mission. Tension runs high as people try to assert their independence from the MRC. This is a fast paced story with humor, bravery, and death included. Another top notch addition to the Bounty Hunter series.

[Cody · Rating 3 out of 5]

My least favorite..

...of the series so far. Mostly due to Val and Kix going to see Renzo. That made absolutely no sense. Knowingly ride into a trap. It was a lose lose scenario and because of that,it was hard for me to enjoy the rest of this book.
Though, I still look forward to the next in the series

[Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another good installment in the series. Joe and he gang end up back together but not sure I really understood why Val and Kit take the bait and fall into the trap. Not sure where the twist at the end will lead the series too but I know Rachel will come up with something to keep you reading as she has in the first four.

[Gail Murphy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome! Awesome! Awesome!

Loved this book! Can't wait to see where it goes next! The characters you know and love have been beaten, run over and bamboozled more then a little, but they're still kicking!

There's some great humor in this book!
Keep up the good work!!

[Charles E. Shirey · Rating 5 out of 5]

One dang fine author

I find this series absolutely scintillating. The characters and their growth, progression and evolution I find to be bang on. Thanks, and yes I got sucked in from the first page let alone the cover.

[NormaCenva · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really hope there will be more in this series, because the first 4 books were complete fire!

[Richard]

With a minimal amount of "romance" it remains an action thriller. There are times when co-incidence seems to play too much of a role in solving (and creating) problem scenarios. Overall the story moves along fast enough to keep your constant attention. I found it difficult to put down in spite of other chores demanding my time. I look forward to a follow-up involving the "Freelands" .... you know one is coming.

[Francis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read all four books and have to say the ending of this book wasn't really what I expected. I felt that it was kind of a rushed ending to a really good series. A little disappointed in this book seeing that the other three had me hooked and engaged the entire time while this one just didn't.

[Sean Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable but is there more?

[Joanne Herrman · Rating 5 out of 5]

ACTION!!!

Loved it! Great characters and lots happening. End left up in the air so I hope there is another book.