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Metallic Heart: Book One of The Fade Series
A MAN ASHAMED OF HIS PAST.
A WOMAN FIGHTING FOR HER FUTURE.
ONE SCIENTIST WHO MARKS THEIR DOWNFALL.
Eloise always keeps seven knives on her body, one for each year since her younger sister's violent death. As the only person in the world with nanites in her blood, her mission is to save the life of her sister's best friend, a teen boy suffering from a fatal brain disease. Until she can't. Until the man from her past returns, just as broken as she is.
Dragging Eloise away from death - twice - isn't how Bannack saw his life going. He only wanted what was owed to him for his eight-year service as the villain's High Commander. Instead, to live a life of peace, Bannack must protect Eloise. She wants nothing to do with him. That's fine. But when feelings for her grow, he wonders if the love he worked so hard to forget, could be what heals his frozen heart.
Hunted by a powerful woman who connects them both, Eloise and Bannack must make the bravest decision they've ever made.
They must live.
Perfect for fans of the Divergent series and the genre-blending, full-of-heart style of Kerry Lonsdale, this post-apocalyptic romance weaves a passionate tale of resilience, self-acceptance, and the need to protect our loved ones, no matter the cost. Metallic Heart is what happens when you take contemporary romance, give it a knife, and blow up the world.
***
This book is an adult, post-apocalyptic, slow burn romance with a healthy dose of spice. Tropes featured are: knife to throat, touch him and you die, who hurt you, only one bed, and childhood friends to lovers.
A WOMAN FIGHTING FOR HER FUTURE.
ONE SCIENTIST WHO MARKS THEIR DOWNFALL.
Eloise always keeps seven knives on her body, one for each year since her younger sister's violent death. As the only person in the world with nanites in her blood, her mission is to save the life of her sister's best friend, a teen boy suffering from a fatal brain disease. Until she can't. Until the man from her past returns, just as broken as she is.
Dragging Eloise away from death - twice - isn't how Bannack saw his life going. He only wanted what was owed to him for his eight-year service as the villain's High Commander. Instead, to live a life of peace, Bannack must protect Eloise. She wants nothing to do with him. That's fine. But when feelings for her grow, he wonders if the love he worked so hard to forget, could be what heals his frozen heart.
Hunted by a powerful woman who connects them both, Eloise and Bannack must make the bravest decision they've ever made.
They must live.
Perfect for fans of the Divergent series and the genre-blending, full-of-heart style of Kerry Lonsdale, this post-apocalyptic romance weaves a passionate tale of resilience, self-acceptance, and the need to protect our loved ones, no matter the cost. Metallic Heart is what happens when you take contemporary romance, give it a knife, and blow up the world.
***
This book is an adult, post-apocalyptic, slow burn romance with a healthy dose of spice. Tropes featured are: knife to throat, touch him and you die, who hurt you, only one bed, and childhood friends to lovers.
371 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 19, 2021
21 people are currently reading
127 people want to read
About the author
Liahona West
6 books7 followersLiahona West spent her entire teenage years either glued to a book or wandering the forests surrounding her home. Whether it was escaping the dreaded high school lunch room in favor of reading in the library or exploring the forest barefoot with her younger siblings in the PNW, Liahona found countless ways to fall in love with the simple magic of life. When Liahona isn't writing in every location possible, she is raising three boys, tending to two dogs, and somehow managing to pursue a college degree.
Metallic Heart is her debut novel.
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Metallic Heart is her debut novel.
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
August 14, 2022
Metallic Heart was set in a post-apocalyptic world. Eloise, the main character, lost her family and is trying to survive, but the terror of the land, AKA Joy, the antagonist, will stop at nothing to save her dying son. She’d terrorized, killed, enslaved, wiped people’s memories, and her next target is Eloise. She believed Eloise’s blood, infused with Nanites could help her son. At first, she was content with taking a little at a time, but she grew impatient and wants to drain Eloise to save her son.
I loved the story idea. I particularly liked that Joy, the antagonist, had a worthy backstory, the reason behind her maddening murder spree, manipulation and lies. However, I find the main characters, Eloise and Bannock’s weaknesses
fully developed, but their strengths not so much. I got bored with Bannock’s self-pity and everybody joining the pity party. Also, I would have loved to see a more confident Eloise in the end as she was in the beginning. As soon as Bannock, her childhood friend turned boyfriend, came on the scene, her character grew weaker and weaker until she was helpless and at the mercy of others. I wanted the opposite. I love it when characters grow and ultimately are able to face their adversity head-on, defeating their opponent. Granted, Joy’s era of terror came to an end, but it was painful to see Eloise so weak.
The story had huge potential but fell short on character development. 2.5 stars.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I loved the story idea. I particularly liked that Joy, the antagonist, had a worthy backstory, the reason behind her maddening murder spree, manipulation and lies. However, I find the main characters, Eloise and Bannock’s weaknesses
fully developed, but their strengths not so much. I got bored with Bannock’s self-pity and everybody joining the pity party. Also, I would have loved to see a more confident Eloise in the end as she was in the beginning. As soon as Bannock, her childhood friend turned boyfriend, came on the scene, her character grew weaker and weaker until she was helpless and at the mercy of others. I wanted the opposite. I love it when characters grow and ultimately are able to face their adversity head-on, defeating their opponent. Granted, Joy’s era of terror came to an end, but it was painful to see Eloise so weak.
The story had huge potential but fell short on character development. 2.5 stars.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
November 11, 2021
Metallic Heart has a brilliant, believable villain which allows this story to come to life. Compelling histories and heartbreaking motives drive most characters, but some internal dialogue can dwell on the past a little too long, making them feel repetitive instead of convincing.
The plotlines are strong and the characters do grow and change, even to their own detriment. This makes for a fun read, seeing characters hitting rock bottom and hoping they can overcome the problems is what makes this book for me.
The world is described in detail, and while the timelines didn't always make sense to me, it was clear how bits and pieces of our present could have led to their chaotic future. I enjoyed the way people are depicted as having overcome so much by seeing where they settled. I especially loved reading about a location I could recognize and finding it has been repurposed by people in a way I wasn't expecting!
The romance was realistic in the sense that I could easily imagine myself having the same reactions to the circumstances, which is good or bad depending on your preference.
All in all, I liked it! I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The plotlines are strong and the characters do grow and change, even to their own detriment. This makes for a fun read, seeing characters hitting rock bottom and hoping they can overcome the problems is what makes this book for me.
The world is described in detail, and while the timelines didn't always make sense to me, it was clear how bits and pieces of our present could have led to their chaotic future. I enjoyed the way people are depicted as having overcome so much by seeing where they settled. I especially loved reading about a location I could recognize and finding it has been repurposed by people in a way I wasn't expecting!
The romance was realistic in the sense that I could easily imagine myself having the same reactions to the circumstances, which is good or bad depending on your preference.
All in all, I liked it! I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
April 11, 2022
I absolutely loved this book! Two broken characters navigate their way through their emotional trauma in a post apocalyptic world. The characters are raw and real. I felt so invested in their struggles and the challenges they face trying to stay alive and find the strength to to overcome their past. It was truly an uplifting tale and the world was so vivid that it leapt off the pages! YA fantasty at it's best. I can't wait to read more from this author!
September 10, 2024
In the first third of the book, I really thought I was gonna hate it. The whole “part one: in the after” section should really be skipped and reworked into the narrative as flashbacks or exposition as needed because it’s just setup for the actual plot to begin. A montage of confusing vignettes from the characters’ childhood, with large cuts away, details of time and place going unmarked. You don’t know the MCs well enough to care about them yet, and it felt intentionally confusing at times, attempting, I suppose, to capture the unmoored emotional experience of someone with PTSD… although, as someone who has been through it, I will say that PTSD is more like you can never escape your trauma, that you’re anchored to a fixed point, and doesn’t feel very unmoored at all from the perspective of the person it’s happening to.
Get to the part where the MCs finally meet again after many years, and they’re immediately separated again. In romance novels I always want the MCs to meet right away and stay together throughout the narrative… not that they have to be joined at the hip, although I love me some forced proximity, but all time separate should be skipped over/summed up quickly instead of spending thirty pages apart.
So, if you make it past the 30% mark of the novel, it’s a cute post-apocalypse romance with some angst and trauma that ends in a satisfying way. Just hard to get there.
Get to the part where the MCs finally meet again after many years, and they’re immediately separated again. In romance novels I always want the MCs to meet right away and stay together throughout the narrative… not that they have to be joined at the hip, although I love me some forced proximity, but all time separate should be skipped over/summed up quickly instead of spending thirty pages apart.
So, if you make it past the 30% mark of the novel, it’s a cute post-apocalypse romance with some angst and trauma that ends in a satisfying way. Just hard to get there.
December 27, 2021
I honestly had a few issues with the book but read it several times because certain aspects are excellent. The story from page one has errors that any editing should catch. The MC is looking out the window at Magpies counting her knives. Then she is trying to scare away the crows and the ominous feeling they give her.
Obviously they should have always been crows but she even describes the white breasted birds with black feathers. Then puts on boots and voila they are now crows.
Then a few times during the book the author has disjointed time lines that do not flow properly that left me rereading certain sections and feeling a bit confused by the time line, or certain events and when they happened. Honestly good editing can fix all that. The actual overall story is quite good.
The romance does need further development it doesn't feel like a natural progression to the characters dynamics with each other.
Again editing or richer character dynamics could fix this. I've ultimately decided to give the book 4 starts and overlook the flaws because the story-line and world-building has potential. I'd say it's an intriguing read with a good dystopian feel that with further development could really be a winner.
Obviously they should have always been crows but she even describes the white breasted birds with black feathers. Then puts on boots and voila they are now crows.
Then a few times during the book the author has disjointed time lines that do not flow properly that left me rereading certain sections and feeling a bit confused by the time line, or certain events and when they happened. Honestly good editing can fix all that. The actual overall story is quite good.
The romance does need further development it doesn't feel like a natural progression to the characters dynamics with each other.
Again editing or richer character dynamics could fix this. I've ultimately decided to give the book 4 starts and overlook the flaws because the story-line and world-building has potential. I'd say it's an intriguing read with a good dystopian feel that with further development could really be a winner.
September 21, 2021
Metallic Heart: Book One of The Fade Series Kindle Edition
by Liahona West (Author)
Thank you to Liahona West, the author, the publisher and NetGalley for the complimentary reviewer's copy. I am choosing to leave a fair and honest review.
There was one thing that kept bothering me as I made my way through this book was the time frame it was supposed to be set in. According to Chapter 12 (the first time Joy becomes the focus of the narrative) and a journal entry in that chapter, this story takes place after 3028. Yet, the author refers to the '50s as in the 1950s. One character wears a Seattle Seahawk hat. It is as if the author forgot when she set the book. This caused what could be a totally enjoyable read to stall out as I had to keep checking the date for the setting.
Around 30% of the way through, the story falls into a slog of a romance that falls flat. There is a lot of chatter between the characters that should probably have been edited.
I can't recommend this confusing, slow and slogging book that is just a blend of far better post-apocalyptic dystopian books.
1 star out of 5
https://www.amazon.com/Metallic-Heart...
by Liahona West (Author)
Thank you to Liahona West, the author, the publisher and NetGalley for the complimentary reviewer's copy. I am choosing to leave a fair and honest review.
There was one thing that kept bothering me as I made my way through this book was the time frame it was supposed to be set in. According to Chapter 12 (the first time Joy becomes the focus of the narrative) and a journal entry in that chapter, this story takes place after 3028. Yet, the author refers to the '50s as in the 1950s. One character wears a Seattle Seahawk hat. It is as if the author forgot when she set the book. This caused what could be a totally enjoyable read to stall out as I had to keep checking the date for the setting.
Around 30% of the way through, the story falls into a slog of a romance that falls flat. There is a lot of chatter between the characters that should probably have been edited.
I can't recommend this confusing, slow and slogging book that is just a blend of far better post-apocalyptic dystopian books.
1 star out of 5
https://www.amazon.com/Metallic-Heart...
October 9, 2023
Updated copy as of 2023!
I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
This book is a longer read but 100% worth it. The FMC is absolutely amazing and strong, but you do see her growth more in the story. The MMC is amazing also and eep their relationship is so adorable and amazing. It really expands over the story.
There are a bit of triggers in this book, I would recommend checking the warnings (if you need to read those before starting a book). Your mental health is always the most important!
I'm so glad I got to read this story. It had me hooked, and I will 100% be reading more from this author.
I would like to make a note that it is really amazing and gives the author more credit in my book that she took past reviews and notes and decided to remake the story. That really shows me that the author is able to grow and take critiques. Not having read the original but only reading the new version, I highly recommend it!
There is some spice in the book, but it is nothing overwhelming if you tend to like a book with a bit less (but what is there is 🔥 🥵)
I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
This book is a longer read but 100% worth it. The FMC is absolutely amazing and strong, but you do see her growth more in the story. The MMC is amazing also and eep their relationship is so adorable and amazing. It really expands over the story.
There are a bit of triggers in this book, I would recommend checking the warnings (if you need to read those before starting a book). Your mental health is always the most important!
I'm so glad I got to read this story. It had me hooked, and I will 100% be reading more from this author.
I would like to make a note that it is really amazing and gives the author more credit in my book that she took past reviews and notes and decided to remake the story. That really shows me that the author is able to grow and take critiques. Not having read the original but only reading the new version, I highly recommend it!
There is some spice in the book, but it is nothing overwhelming if you tend to like a book with a bit less (but what is there is 🔥 🥵)
June 17, 2021
**I received a free ARC from Book Sirens and am leaving this review voluntarily.**
I was not a fan of this. I felt like it could have been so much more than what it was. The main characters, Bannock and Eloise felt like they were trying too hard to be "broken" at times. And the LGBTQ angle felt like it was just tossed in there for effect with no real meaning behind it. All in all, it was not my cup of tea.
That being said, her writing is very good. The banter between the characters, the antagonistic "Joy", all of that was excellently done. So, give this one a chance if you're on the fence. Just because it wasn't for me doesn't mean that you won't like it.
I was not a fan of this. I felt like it could have been so much more than what it was. The main characters, Bannock and Eloise felt like they were trying too hard to be "broken" at times. And the LGBTQ angle felt like it was just tossed in there for effect with no real meaning behind it. All in all, it was not my cup of tea.
That being said, her writing is very good. The banter between the characters, the antagonistic "Joy", all of that was excellently done. So, give this one a chance if you're on the fence. Just because it wasn't for me doesn't mean that you won't like it.
June 21, 2021
A good start to a Dystopian series - a strong female lead and an interesting romantic partner. At times the dialogue and human situations are slightly too pulled together to reach an end of plot line. Nevertheless I really enjoyed this book and look forward to reading the next in the series.
With the at present Covid-19 crisis it was interesting to read about someone who has immunity against some disease that is rampant in the book's not too distant future.
I recommend this book for older teens as the violence is at times gruesome. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
With the at present Covid-19 crisis it was interesting to read about someone who has immunity against some disease that is rampant in the book's not too distant future.
I recommend this book for older teens as the violence is at times gruesome. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
October 16, 2023
I receive a free copy via ARC and am leaving a voluntary review.
I really wanted to love this story, but it just wasnt all there for me. There were some very enjoyable fight scenes, however, not all of the descriptions made sense, so i had to reread them a few times to make sense of them.
I also had a difficult time connecting with Eloise and Bannack. They weren't very well developed and often felt immature. Joy, on the other hand, was amazing. Her background made a lot of sense and definitely showed why she behaved the way she did.
Overall there was a lot of potential here, but it didnt quite do it for me.
I really wanted to love this story, but it just wasnt all there for me. There were some very enjoyable fight scenes, however, not all of the descriptions made sense, so i had to reread them a few times to make sense of them.
I also had a difficult time connecting with Eloise and Bannack. They weren't very well developed and often felt immature. Joy, on the other hand, was amazing. Her background made a lot of sense and definitely showed why she behaved the way she did.
Overall there was a lot of potential here, but it didnt quite do it for me.
May 29, 2021
To be honest I was disappointed by how this book progressed, I felt let down because the first few pages promised a masterpiece and then the kick never arrived. The story promised so much but did not live up to the earlier hype.
I feel like the potential Eloise and Bannack had was not fully utilized at all. The was supposed to be a real masterpiece but it all became so dull and boring at the end.
But however I have to admit that the plot was epic, it only lacked the finishing touch bit it was there.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I feel like the potential Eloise and Bannack had was not fully utilized at all. The was supposed to be a real masterpiece but it all became so dull and boring at the end.
But however I have to admit that the plot was epic, it only lacked the finishing touch bit it was there.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Read
October 30, 2023I was able to enjoy this book as an arc copy, I absolutely love being able to read arcs!
I enjoyed the plot lines and the detailed world building. Normally I am an hard core romance girlie so this was a different read for me than usual, it was a nice switch up. I like how the characters for the most part grew and changed. Seeing characters react and make some wrong choices makes them more human and a possible believable story at least to me. Over all I did actually enjoy this book!
I enjoyed the plot lines and the detailed world building. Normally I am an hard core romance girlie so this was a different read for me than usual, it was a nice switch up. I like how the characters for the most part grew and changed. Seeing characters react and make some wrong choices makes them more human and a possible believable story at least to me. Over all I did actually enjoy this book!
April 17, 2023
Adventure, spice, heart, and vulnerability fill the pages of this novel. The MC is a fierce fighter willing to do whatever it takes to keep the people she loves safe, and the man by her side finds redemption in the most beautiful way. The characters are written so real and eloquently, it's impossible not to cheer them on!
May 8, 2021
Awesome dystopian love story. Eloise knows what she cares about and will fight to keep it no matter what. The author beautifully takes us through this post-apocalyptic Earth on a journey filled with heart. Can’t wait to read the sequel!
May 22, 2021
This is a very good read. Good plot using nanites on human subjects. Some turn out good and some make monsters. Good page turning read
November 12, 2021
I was torn between giving this a 3 or a 4 star, but for this I'm gonna settle on three.
It is a good story. The actual storyline itself is really good and a cool concept. The characters were very diverse and realistic. The world itself, while I think it could have been fleshed out a little bit more, was also realistic and mildly concerning, cause this definitely seems like something that could happen in our lifetime.. The writing was descriptive, and it was pretty easy to see what the author was describing for the setting and characters.
Above all else though - It has a lot of racial diversity without having racial stereotypes (I think? I could be wrong, but I didn't see anything particularly), which is something we should all strive for. It also do a really good job of showing how mental health can affect someone's life.
In terms of negatives, they're not make or break, by any means. There were a few times I got lost, just by something happening too abruptly or missing an important sentence, but it was easy to get back onto the right track. It was a little one side or the other in terms of a lot happening or nothing happening. The middle particularly is a little slow, but I think it fits the narrative, just takes a bit more to get through.
Either way, it was a fun read, and it will be interesting to see what else happens in this world in future installments.
It is a good story. The actual storyline itself is really good and a cool concept. The characters were very diverse and realistic. The world itself, while I think it could have been fleshed out a little bit more, was also realistic and mildly concerning, cause this definitely seems like something that could happen in our lifetime.. The writing was descriptive, and it was pretty easy to see what the author was describing for the setting and characters.
Above all else though - It has a lot of racial diversity without having racial stereotypes (I think? I could be wrong, but I didn't see anything particularly), which is something we should all strive for. It also do a really good job of showing how mental health can affect someone's life.
In terms of negatives, they're not make or break, by any means. There were a few times I got lost, just by something happening too abruptly or missing an important sentence, but it was easy to get back onto the right track. It was a little one side or the other in terms of a lot happening or nothing happening. The middle particularly is a little slow, but I think it fits the narrative, just takes a bit more to get through.
Either way, it was a fun read, and it will be interesting to see what else happens in this world in future installments.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews