Explosion

Dark Anomaly #3

by Marina Simcoe

I came here for three reasons—the adventure, the reward, and my captain.
The minute we land in this cursed place, the adventure becomes a nightmare. My crew gets killed. Injured, I don’t think I’ll survive either on this mysterious entity in space that its inhabitants call the Dark Anomaly.

The damirian alien, Malahki, seems to be the only one aware of my existence. Malahki insists I refer to him as “he,” even though he is of the neutral gender. Damirians only change to male or female when they meet their other half.

I know he feels nothing for me, and I’m certainly not attracted to the sarcastic, emotionless damirian with a snappy attitude. What I don’t know is that a volcano of feelings is building under his cool façade. All he needs is the right woman to trigger the eruption. But will the explosion be so powerful that it’ll consume me?

The Dark Anomaly is not conducive to happy endings. What future awaits us here? As the time passes, the life on it is deteriorating. This place threatens to destroy us all.

They say there is no leaving the Dark Anomaly. How about blowing it the f*ck up!

Explosion is the third and the final book in the Dark Anomaly trilogy.

_______________________________

Each book in the Dark Anomaly trilogy is a complete love story of a separate couple, with their very own HFN or HEA. However, the main story line arcs across all three books. It is recommended to read them in order.

Gravity, book 1
Power, book 2
Explosion, book 3

Warning: The world of Dark Anomaly is dark. Explosion is a Science-Fiction Romance that contains scenes of intimacy and violence. Intended for mature readers.

Genres: Romance, Aliens, Science Fiction, Science Fiction Romance

260 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 17, 2021

About the author

Deep, heartfelt romance with a generous sprinkle of spice and a tad of magic.

Newsletter Signup is on www.MarinaSimcoe.com

For illustrations of her books, early access ebooks, bonus stories, and signed paperbacks, please visit the author's Patreon: https://patreon.com/MarinaSimcoe

Married to Krampus illustrated edition is being posted on Marina Simcoe's Patreon. Start reading here: https://www.patreon.com/posts/chapter...

Reviews

[Bex (Beckie Bookworm) · Rating 4 out of 5]

We are back on the dark anomaly and this is the conclusion to all that’s gone on previously and it was ramped from the get-go with edge of your seat tension and plenty of action all the way.
Malahki is a Damirian an alien that is a neutral gender so neither male nor female when he rescues hides and nurses Valentina back to health his main objection is to hide her from the dangerous individuals aboard the dark anomaly a secondary side benefit is that he’s hoping proximity to her will trigger his metamorphosis into male something he believes he needs for both of their protection from the others.
At first, nothing happens but as time goes by and they become closer Malachi starts to change in ways he never could have imagined and the perilous situation they find themself in means his new nature is utilised in every way.

This one was a nail biter and as everything implodes and as the inmates turn on each other both Malachi and Val find themselves in increasing danger and each day is a battle to just stay alive.
This then had all the couples from each book banding together and working as a group as they take the ultimate gamble on their future and it could mean their very lives if they fail.

This was intense and gripping and Malachi was so much male after he transforms
He was an absolute beast and the polar opposite to what he was previously something he initially struggles with.
This was also romantic and touching and incredibly hot. I adored Malachi and Val as a couple the male is literally obsessed with her she is his entire world and as an added bonus we get to also catch up with all the previous books characters as well.

This series has been fabulous so imaginative and very absorbing I’m sad to see it end but at the same time ecstatic that they all got to escape their forced incarceration what a finale this was.
Definitely recommend this series it’s a good one.
I voluntary reviewed a copy of Explosion. (Dark Anomaly #3)



Reviewed By Beckie Bookworm
https://www.facebook.com/beckiebookworm/
www.beckiebookworm.com

[Marina Simcoe]

The Dark Anomaly trilogy is now complete.
Thank you for coming with me on the journey through the sinister and intense world of Dark Anomaly and thank you for trusting me to lead you all the way to the happy ending.
I hope you enjoyed the ride.

[Mary Lynne · Rating 5 out of 5]

If ever there was an apt title for a book, Explosion is it. This book explodes old romance tropes with the insanely creative world of the Dark Anomaly that Simcoe has explored in two previous books and continues to develop here. It explodes gender expectations, as the hero Malahki is gender neutral at the start of Explosion (his race only assumes genders when they decide on a potential mate). The relationship between Valentina and Malahki simmers for some time before it explodes in needs both sensual and necessary to their survival in a brutal situation.

I loved both the hero and heroine in this book. Valentina deals with injuries (the number of times she’s put under to recuperate from injuries made me chuckle after a while) but never loses her quiet faith and hope in a path forward. Malahki is a being driven to some very tough choices by necessity, but always using as its guiding star its drive to protect Valya. We see the other denizens of the Dark Anomaly primarily through their eyes, and the changes in this culture we’ve come to know are profound and lasting in Explosion.

There are welcome returns of the protagonists of previous books in the Dark Anomaly series, and the ending moves in wildly unexpected and yet marvelous directions. The solutions needed at the end were perhaps a bit automagical (the mad calculating skills of the women in this series are off the charts), but I could accept that as a means to address the horrors of the anomaly.

Explosion just raced by for me; I couldn’t put it down as events in the overarching plot of this trilogy accelerated to their end. You should read the preceding books in this series to get the full impact of the fascinating environment Simcoe has created. Explosion will blow you away as a great conclusion to a marvelous series.

[Carole · Rating 5 out of 5]

The final book in the Dark Anomaly series is another thrilling exploration of that deviant world.
A well written, drama laced, suspense filled adventure awaits the reader, with so many new surprises, and revelations. MFC Valentina and her crew have crashed in the anomaly, and everyone on board their vessel she believes has been killed by its inhabitants except for her, saved by MMC Malahki who keeps her a secret from the others. Malahki has his own motives for doing so which ties into the interesting type of species he is. I was fascinated as a silent witness to his realization and understanding of what the true meaning of loving someone really entails.
This story is so very well told that the pages seemed to fly by: though that could have been because of my eagerness to find out what would happen next! The lead characters are so well fleshed out and engaging making my enjoyment of the narrative even more rewarding.
A wonderful, heart tugging HEA, and I will be re-reading this story again very soon!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Sandra R · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great conclusion to this three part series. I would recommend you read them in order to understand the back story and the characters. Each book has a different H/h and all 3 couples feature in the second half of Explosion. 5 stars for the author's imagination and this book is a wild adventure in outer space. I only stopped reading to have dinner! Note that there are lots of icky aliens and much bloodshed of said icky aliens. There are some steamy romance scenes with a swoon-worthy alien and lots of drama. 4.5 stars. So entertaining!

[Leyda · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best of all!! Malakhi and Valentina's story has everything: tension, a lot of feeling and love. In the third and last part of this trilogy the author takes us to see how everything has gotten out of control, the Dark Anomaly is deteriorating and its inhabitants annihilate each other. Malakhi's transformation is progressive and in one scene it's even funny. Valentina had to face her fears in order to survive in that chaos. I cried and laughed with her in the final part. I would very much like a short story in which everyone gets together after several years.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jannie Cv · Rating 5 out of 5]

Explosive!
What an intense story! Of course, it’s quite fitting for the situation in which these people have been living. Watching the friendship, then love, develop between Malahki and Valentina is wonderful. Although the time really is short, it feels like a ‘slow-burn.’
I cannot express how deeply moving this story is for me. This is a necessity in any Sci-fi romance reader’s library!

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

The writing and editing of the ARC version of the manuscript was clean, with no typos that I found and well constructed sentences. The world building was vivid, with the grim deterioration of the Dark Anomoly, the crazy cosmic display of the escape, and the colony on the water world all coming to vivid life. The characterization was excellent, with the heroine being nuanced and sympathetic, and the psychological and instinctual transformation of the hero as he became male being fascinating to read. The development of the romantic relationship was natural and organic, with a heat level of three chili peppers. The plot was filled with danger and excitement. As a consequence, the pacing was very quick, which is typically what I prefer. There was a low to medium amount of well justified angst and very high stakes throughout this novel, which tends to be one of my preferred narrative structures for a romance novel. This novel used the Mating Bond trope, the Prison Break trope, and the Forced Proximity trope. I thought the world building, plot, and pacing were all five stars. The characterization and development of the romantic relationship were both four stars. I therefore rounded up and gave this novel a combined rating of five stars. This novel ended on a Happy Ever After ending instead of a cliffhanger ending, so that was a big plus. I recommend this novel to readers who enjoy exciting plots and vivid world building in their sci-fi romances. I am sad the series is over, but I look forward to reading the next series this author publishes. I will buy myself a keeper copy of this novel.

I received a free advance review copy of this book, and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Explosive conclusion!

WOW! This was an absolutely fantastic, thrilling and explosive conclusion to this amazing series.

We are once again taken on an adventure filled with edge of your seat action, suspense, drama and danger all on the mysterious dark anomaly.

Malahki and Valentina’s story is gripping and incredibly intense. The fact that Malahki is slowly transforming into something entirely different from what he originally was, had me gripping my kindle so tightly with all of the unknowns.

Malachi and Valentina’s relationship is romantic, sweet and so very steamy. They have such a great connection and intense chemistry that it will have you gushing with love for them.

The story is vividly written and filled with such imaginative worldbuilding that it takes us readers on one hell of an adventure.

[DMCechak · Rating 5 out of 5]

Explosion is the third AMAZING book in Marina Simcoe’s Dark Anomaly series.

It will make your heart hurt before it swells with joy. This book is the culmination of a series that has absolutely blown up my love for Marina’s writing, in the best possible way. So very exciting, while creating a particular source of pleasure and pain.

These characters have a life of their own, but Malachi and Valya are such a unique and well generated pair. Malachi enriches the sci-fi romance genre, as he has been created by Simcoe.

Read the first two books in the series for the ultimate level of pleasure.

.

[Avis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Valentina and her crew are the last victims of the swirl. She manages to survive with the help of the gardener, Malahki. I loved Val. She was a strong character, loyal and dedicated. She was smart. And knew when to listen and when to go with her instincts.
Malahki was a "it" until he met Val. Then he wanted her to call him a "he". What a transformation he went into. He dedicated his existence to keeping Valva safe.
Well written, action packed with just the right amount of romance.
We get questions answered and a great HEA.
I would highly recommend the book/ the series.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m sad it’s over, but I loved the Grand Finale. Malahki and Valya have an unlikely romance built on quality time spent together and survival in horrific circumstances. The story wraps up the series and gives a more than satisfactory ending. I love all the couples on the Dark Anomaly. I would love to see short stories of their continuing adventures.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Explosion is the third and the final book in the Dark Anomaly trilogy a well written story that kept me on the edge of my seat. This is damirian alien, Malahki and human Valentina/Valya's story of suspense, drama, danger, twists, turns, a evil Dark Anomaly, and love. A great ending to this series. I received a copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Nichole Kuffa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!

I’ve been waiting to read Malahki’s book since he was introduced in the first one. I loved his transformation and Valentina’s spunk through the book and how these two just fit with one another! I’m already itching to read this trilogy all over again.

[Brooke King · Rating 5 out of 5]

Satisying

End to the series. Left me wanting a little more in the way of maybe a second epilogue,but overall wrapped up well.

[Lit · Rating 5 out of 5]

Epic conclusion!

I’ve enjoyed the Dark Anomaly series and was so glad things ended how they did. It’s hard to say which of the couples is my favorite—I enjoyed them all equally but in different ways. They are all dear to my heart. ♥️

[Marianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an amazing sci-fi romance.. the conclusion to a series.. I really liked it.. It is intense and exciting, dark and mysterious.. Really well done!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Corda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great wrap up to this series and awesome story about the H and h. Loved it.

[Payne’s Bookworm Reviews (Samantha Payne) · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐️
‘Explosion’ is book three and the finale in Marina Simcoe’s Dark Anomaly series. I highly recommend that’s Books one and two are read prior to reading this book as the story and characters will be better understood. Although it is not necessary as each book follows a different set of characters with their own HFN ending, it will make the story flow a little easier.

Malahki the Damirian alien is neither male nor female but when he rescues Valentina back to health, he’s proximity to her triggers his metamorphosis into being a male. Which he believes will help him protect himself and Valentina better.

This one was another nail biting, edge of your seat read, as everything implodes and the inmates turn on each other. Which results in with the other couples having to work together as a group if there is any hope of surviving.

This series has been such a fantastic, imaginative, and entertaining read, I am sad to see it come to an end but over the moon that they got such a wonderful ending.

Thank you Marina Simcoe for bringing this world to life for us and giving us these unique, wonderful, possessive and awesome characters.

[Gayla · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this may be the best book by Marina Simcoe I have read to date.

While I was reading this I often thought that this is the most unique male character that I have come across in a very long time.

I’m not going to spoil it at all.

The blurb says it all. This is book three and the finish to the series. I think. Every one got their HEA.

I really liked the other two books but absolutely adored this one.
Yes, you need to read the other two.

Great world building.
Great plot line.
Slow burn love story
For a non scientific person, the science seemed believable.
It was touching and action packed.
I was on the brink of tears at one point.

I recommend all this author writes, but I highly recommend this one.

[Raina · Rating 5 out of 5]

The third and final story of the dark anomaly. All the main characters from the first two are part of this story. But this time the main characters are Malahki, so glad he got his own story, and Valentina. Val crashed with Nadia but was believed to have died from the crash or was killed afterwards. But Malahki has kept her a secret and hiding her hasn’t been easy. But he will do anything to protect her and as the two come closer his aggression to protect will only increase. He is a unique species and it adds a whole new dimension to the story. Filled with danger and action the romance builds until it explodes.

[Cassandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was epically amazeballs awesome!

I freaking loved this one. A great ending for the series as a whole but also a wonderful book by itself. It was like The Poseidan Adventure and Gravity had a baby, and there were cannibals as godparents. Valentina and Malahki were so adorably protective of each other from the get go, even when Mahlahki was weaker than the other males. They handled each challenge together as a team and any fights were quickly resolved. Relationship goals! As for the plot of the story, I was on the edge of my seat for the majority of the book. The ending was a roller coaster of emotions and I was left deeply satisfied by its conclusion.

[Veronica · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series was amazing!

I gave this series 5 stars. It has an interesting world and original aliens. The premise is compelling. The story of each couple is full of danger and the first two have Ms. Simcoe's signature psychological edge to them. Set in space, as this book is, it works so well. It keeps you interested/ guessing because literally anything can go wrong. I love the ending. I would recommend any of Ms. Simcoe's work. She has an amazing imagination.

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

I came here for three reasons—the adventure, the reward, and my captain.
The minute we land in this cursed place, the adventure becomes a nightmare.

Valentina's adventure was only starting when she is plunged into the deadly abyss known as the Dark Anomaly. But will the androgynous Malahki be enough to protect her from the denizens that prowl the darkness? Will her presence change who and what he is into something more? Will they survive the destruction that is only moments in the future?

[Culture-Vulture · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, this series was an epic journey! I loved it. The author built such a wonderfully interesting universe...the world-building was exquisite. I enjoyed the adventure so much that I didn't even mind the (few) spelling mistakes or the (sometimes) bizarrely-placed commas. (I enjoyed the plot more than the romance, despite the romance being quite nice, too.)

5 Enthusiastic Stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

[Chappy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great conclusion to this series...

Malahki was always mysterious and set apart from the others due to his non-gender status. However, when he rescues Val in secret, his transformation begins.
He was often hot then cold and Val was trying to keep up. I didn't always agree with his plans and he needs to work on his trust issues.

I'd like to find out more about Nadia's baby.

[Christina Miles · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was amazing! I love how detailed Marina is with her books. Her characters always make me feel like I know them, personally, instead of just read about them! Amazing job!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stay with the 3 book series

This final book of the series was awesome. Having read all 3, this brought all the characters together. The emotional roller coaster kept me turning the pages. Well worth the read! Bravo Marina Simcoe!!

[DemetraP · Rating 3 out of 5]

Book 1 in the series was the best.

There is a lot of hiding and sneaking around in this book.

SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER

The six of them (couples from the 3 books) manage to escape the Dark Anomaly together. They all survive.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was really looking forward to this but kind of a let down of a love story even as it was a satisfying end to the series itself.