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Behind Blue Eyes #3
War Games
Every story has a dark side.
After learning of the Broker’s true identity, Nephilim battles contradicting memory flashes from her past. In horror, she realizes Metatron has erased her memory.
When she confronts him, he admits to the truth, but the stand-off takes a twist, and her world changes forever.
Meanwhile, the murder of the Guardian Angels continues. This time, the most gruesome one so far, the victim is someone very close to Nephilim.
Enraged, Nephilim sets out to find those responsible, but the whole thing's a trap. The ones pulling the strings want to set an example on her to deliver a message to Metatron.
They'll soon learn the wrath of a killer cyborg. But Nephilim won't emerge from the battle without paying a horrible price.
And the war has only just begun…
The Behind Blue Eyes saga continues!
After learning of the Broker’s true identity, Nephilim battles contradicting memory flashes from her past. In horror, she realizes Metatron has erased her memory.
When she confronts him, he admits to the truth, but the stand-off takes a twist, and her world changes forever.
Meanwhile, the murder of the Guardian Angels continues. This time, the most gruesome one so far, the victim is someone very close to Nephilim.
Enraged, Nephilim sets out to find those responsible, but the whole thing's a trap. The ones pulling the strings want to set an example on her to deliver a message to Metatron.
They'll soon learn the wrath of a killer cyborg. But Nephilim won't emerge from the battle without paying a horrible price.
And the war has only just begun…
The Behind Blue Eyes saga continues!
303 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 23, 2022
23 people are currently reading
46 people want to read
About the author
Anna Mocikat
57 books203 followersAnna Mocikat is a successful Cyberpunk and Space Opera author.
She was born in Warsaw, Poland, but spent most of her life in Germany where she attended film school, worked as a screenwriter and a game writer for several years.
Her "MUC" novels have been nominated for the most prestigious awards for Fantasy and science fiction in Germany.
In 2016 Anna moved to the USA where she continued her writing career.
"Shadow City" was her debut in English in 2019.
Since then she also published the "Behind Blue Eyes" series, the "Cyber Squad" series, the "Nephilim" series as well as "Space Punks" and "Neon Nights."
She was born in Warsaw, Poland, but spent most of her life in Germany where she attended film school, worked as a screenwriter and a game writer for several years.
Her "MUC" novels have been nominated for the most prestigious awards for Fantasy and science fiction in Germany.
In 2016 Anna moved to the USA where she continued her writing career.
"Shadow City" was her debut in English in 2019.
Since then she also published the "Behind Blue Eyes" series, the "Cyber Squad" series, the "Nephilim" series as well as "Space Punks" and "Neon Nights."
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
March 8, 2022
Living in a dystopia disguised as a utopia.
After eating up book one, going straight on to book 2 and then (im)patiently waiting for the release of Book 3, I can honestly say, I love this series.
After the fast paced, high stakes adventures of the first two books, War Games begins in the minds of the principal players. A more in-depth analysis of who they are, what they want and more importantly, their relationship with our main protagonist, Nephilim. Everything we thought we knew about this world is turned upside down. We get to see inside the Inner Circle, meet the humans "ruling" over the cyborgs and there's a welcome return of one of my favourite side characters.
The action is daring and means much more now you know these characters so well. There's a level of emotional attachment and I did start questioning if a character was actually good or bad.
War Games is intense, full of action, emotion, with great story telling and a rich, lived-in world. There are moments of graphic violence, but I found they were well written well and worked within the context of the story.
Now I have to wait another year to find out what happens next. I'm invested, I know these characters and I can't wait to return to Olympus.
After eating up book one, going straight on to book 2 and then (im)patiently waiting for the release of Book 3, I can honestly say, I love this series.
After the fast paced, high stakes adventures of the first two books, War Games begins in the minds of the principal players. A more in-depth analysis of who they are, what they want and more importantly, their relationship with our main protagonist, Nephilim. Everything we thought we knew about this world is turned upside down. We get to see inside the Inner Circle, meet the humans "ruling" over the cyborgs and there's a welcome return of one of my favourite side characters.
The action is daring and means much more now you know these characters so well. There's a level of emotional attachment and I did start questioning if a character was actually good or bad.
War Games is intense, full of action, emotion, with great story telling and a rich, lived-in world. There are moments of graphic violence, but I found they were well written well and worked within the context of the story.
Now I have to wait another year to find out what happens next. I'm invested, I know these characters and I can't wait to return to Olympus.
May 18, 2022
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Shit has hit the fan in Olympias City.
The killings of the Guardian Angels has continued, and Nephilim has made a complete 180 from her goals and train of thought we saw in Anna Mocikat’s Behind Blue Eyes, and Fallen Angels. With the upgrades resulting from her close call in the second book, she's stronger, faster, and – believe it or not – she's back on Metatron's side.
We begin to see Metatron in a new light in War Games. There's more to him and his soft spot for Nephilim than we first believed. He's always been very open about his favoritism for her, but it is clearer than ever. Dangerously so, in fact. He may have shot himself in the foot with his displays of high preference growing more and more public.
The group of murderers killing the Angels has made a gruesome and public display meant specifically for Nephilim. That last murder had been personal, and a direct threat to Nephilim herself. It couldn't be clearer that she was the group's true target, and it couldn't have pissed her off more. But, that wasn't the only problem.
Nephilim began seeing flashes into the past once again, and discovered Metatron had erased her memory. Indeed, her memory had been wiped once more. This resulted in her – as she usually does – going the reckless route, but it is in her recklessness that we find the crazy twist that just makes so much sense and why didn't we think of this before? The reveal of where the psychotic level of violence was coming from hit me like a truck.
War Games is fast paced, masterfully constructed and holds all the oomph of the first two books in the series. Behind Blue Eyes does not slow down. Anna Mocikat does not shy away from the dark or merciless themes. The story is going deeper and deeper as the web continues to unfold in Olympias City.
These are the kinds of books I live for. The kind that make me happy, piss me off, make me nervous and keep my head spinning with questions. That is what Behind Blue Eyes does for me.
If you enjoy dark, dystopian sci-fi, you're going to love this. If you haven’t even started the series yet, and this sounds like it all appeals to you, go get yourself a copy. Seriously.
Do it.
Shit has hit the fan in Olympias City.
The killings of the Guardian Angels has continued, and Nephilim has made a complete 180 from her goals and train of thought we saw in Anna Mocikat’s Behind Blue Eyes, and Fallen Angels. With the upgrades resulting from her close call in the second book, she's stronger, faster, and – believe it or not – she's back on Metatron's side.
We begin to see Metatron in a new light in War Games. There's more to him and his soft spot for Nephilim than we first believed. He's always been very open about his favoritism for her, but it is clearer than ever. Dangerously so, in fact. He may have shot himself in the foot with his displays of high preference growing more and more public.
The group of murderers killing the Angels has made a gruesome and public display meant specifically for Nephilim. That last murder had been personal, and a direct threat to Nephilim herself. It couldn't be clearer that she was the group's true target, and it couldn't have pissed her off more. But, that wasn't the only problem.
Nephilim began seeing flashes into the past once again, and discovered Metatron had erased her memory. Indeed, her memory had been wiped once more. This resulted in her – as she usually does – going the reckless route, but it is in her recklessness that we find the crazy twist that just makes so much sense and why didn't we think of this before? The reveal of where the psychotic level of violence was coming from hit me like a truck.
War Games is fast paced, masterfully constructed and holds all the oomph of the first two books in the series. Behind Blue Eyes does not slow down. Anna Mocikat does not shy away from the dark or merciless themes. The story is going deeper and deeper as the web continues to unfold in Olympias City.
These are the kinds of books I live for. The kind that make me happy, piss me off, make me nervous and keep my head spinning with questions. That is what Behind Blue Eyes does for me.
If you enjoy dark, dystopian sci-fi, you're going to love this. If you haven’t even started the series yet, and this sounds like it all appeals to you, go get yourself a copy. Seriously.
Do it.
March 4, 2022
WOW! What a book.
I should be in bed by now because I have to go to work in the morning, but I've just finished reading this book and I'm so excited I have no chance of falling asleep.
An incredibly exciting 3rd book, in an incredibly suspenseful and nerve-wracking series.
The amount of actions, dramatic events, power games and thrilling events makes this book to an absolute page-turner.
So many intriguing characters that could all have their own books and every one of them will make already a compelling story.
The multiple POV's and their different views on the same story, gives everything a gripping, spooky and eerie atmosphere and makes this book incredibly exciting and engrossing and forces you to question everything you have read before.
At the end of the book you still don't know who is the good "guy" and who is the bad "guy" in the story.
Yes, this is a cyberpunk noir sci-fi "utopian" story, but I use to call this series sci-fi thriller, because of the suspense-packed scary-gripping way the story is created.
This series would definitely make an excellent and fascinating movie 🎥
It's not possible to tell more about this story without spoilers, so I'll just say, read this series, it's the best science fiction story I've read.
For all romance lovers, this series has also a complicated love story in store for you 😏 One that I guarantee you've never read in your life before 😏
𝙏𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙗𝙤𝙤𝙠 𝙞𝙨 𝙣𝙤𝙩 𝙖 𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙣𝙙𝙖𝙡𝙤𝙣𝙚, 𝙮𝙤𝙪'𝙫𝙚 𝙩𝙤 𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙙 𝙗𝙤𝙤𝙠 #1 & #2 𝙞𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙨𝙚𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙨 𝙩𝙤 𝙪𝙣𝙙𝙚𝙧𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙨𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙮
and it ends with a cliffhanger
I should be in bed by now because I have to go to work in the morning, but I've just finished reading this book and I'm so excited I have no chance of falling asleep.
An incredibly exciting 3rd book, in an incredibly suspenseful and nerve-wracking series.
The amount of actions, dramatic events, power games and thrilling events makes this book to an absolute page-turner.
So many intriguing characters that could all have their own books and every one of them will make already a compelling story.
The multiple POV's and their different views on the same story, gives everything a gripping, spooky and eerie atmosphere and makes this book incredibly exciting and engrossing and forces you to question everything you have read before.
At the end of the book you still don't know who is the good "guy" and who is the bad "guy" in the story.
Yes, this is a cyberpunk noir sci-fi "utopian" story, but I use to call this series sci-fi thriller, because of the suspense-packed scary-gripping way the story is created.
This series would definitely make an excellent and fascinating movie 🎥
It's not possible to tell more about this story without spoilers, so I'll just say, read this series, it's the best science fiction story I've read.
For all romance lovers, this series has also a complicated love story in store for you 😏 One that I guarantee you've never read in your life before 😏
𝙏𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙗𝙤𝙤𝙠 𝙞𝙨 𝙣𝙤𝙩 𝙖 𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙣𝙙𝙖𝙡𝙤𝙣𝙚, 𝙮𝙤𝙪'𝙫𝙚 𝙩𝙤 𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙙 𝙗𝙤𝙤𝙠 #1 & #2 𝙞𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙨𝙚𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙨 𝙩𝙤 𝙪𝙣𝙙𝙚𝙧𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙨𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙮
and it ends with a cliffhanger
March 28, 2022
I think War Games is the best book in this series so far, albeit a little darker. I really loved the first two books too. The story picks up right at the end of book 2, delving straight into that cliffhanger. Yes, we find out who the murder victim was.
Although I don't usually like multiple points of view of the same story, I think Anna Mocikat did a great job here and it gives depth to each character's growth story. I was happy to see more of Finwick in this installment and surprised at Jake's character arc.
If you love morally gray characters, this series has them in spades. There are no good guys/bad guys here. It all depends on whose POV you're watching unfold.
I can't say much about the plot without giving away spoilers, so I'm only going to say that if you enjoyed the first two books, you must read War Games. Anna Mocikat knows how to build up tension, compelling characters, and fascinating stories with plot twists you won't see coming.
Be warned though, it ends with a cliffhanger, so be prepared!
Although I don't usually like multiple points of view of the same story, I think Anna Mocikat did a great job here and it gives depth to each character's growth story. I was happy to see more of Finwick in this installment and surprised at Jake's character arc.
If you love morally gray characters, this series has them in spades. There are no good guys/bad guys here. It all depends on whose POV you're watching unfold.
I can't say much about the plot without giving away spoilers, so I'm only going to say that if you enjoyed the first two books, you must read War Games. Anna Mocikat knows how to build up tension, compelling characters, and fascinating stories with plot twists you won't see coming.
Be warned though, it ends with a cliffhanger, so be prepared!
August 12, 2023
The truths which confronted Neph at the end of the last installment come to fruition here in unexpected ways, leaving you questioning allegiances and who to root for! Twists and turns kept me on my toes the whole time. Brutal, visceral, and fast paced, I can't wait for the next installment!
March 12, 2022
This review was originally posted at https://bit.ly/34BV2F9.
It has been a year since Nephilim first went off the grid and fell in love with a ROSPROM agent. One year since her memory was wiped and Metatron killed her. Since then she has become high-archangel under Metatron and the Crown Princess. Nephilim adores Metatron and nothing could change that...or could it? As someone continues to kill the guardian angels she regains memories from before the wipe. The most concerning of all of the person she holds dearest killing her. However, when she confronts him he does the unexpected, giving her a glimpse into events from his perspective. Now, he hopes that this last year they have spent together will be enough to allow her to see things his way. Because a war is coming and nothing will stand in the angel's way.
I received this ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review. I have been a reviewer and fan of Anna's work since I got my hands on Shadow City over two years ago. Since then she and I frequently talk over her books and other things and my love for her has only grown. She is an amazing and talented writer and it is my pleasure to work with her and read her books. Now, on to what you really want to know: does book three hold up against the other two BBE books? Of course it does!
As I was reading it I let Anna know that I wasn't seeing Metatron as quite the bad guy I had seen him as in the past books. I felt something for him, and I wasn't sure how I felt about that as he was definitely the character I loved to hate in other books. She was amused and told me that was her point. By the close of the book I still agree with that assessment. He is a dick, but fiercely protective of the ones he holds closest and will go to the ends of the world to achieve what is needed for them.
In the other books my favorite character was Adriel, Nephilim's partner and a periphery character. He played a part in this book, and I loved the times when he showed up. Even if their comradery wasn't quite at the level of in book one that is understandable considering the memory wipe. Maybe she will eventually know what he did for her. Either way I love him now as I loved him then.
Now, I mentioned Anna took away our favorite bad guy. The one we all loved to hate. This is true, but she didn't leave us hanging. Instead we are presented with someone even more deserving of our hatred. A truly sadistic man that you will learn more about within these pages. Let's just say the scars on his victims will survive a long time for any that survive.
Jake again plays a part in this book, but rather than rooting for him as I was in previous books he felt more like a little lost puppy than a viable partner anymore. He didn't change, but my attitude towards him as a reader changed. He is still in love with Neph and hopes for their perfect future, working hard towards that goal. Perhaps it is because we can see how Neph has changed over the last year and I'm not sure that, even with her memories fully restored, would she want to be with Jake anymore. She knows so much more about the inner workings of Olympia now.
As always Anna gives us just what we crave: more killer cyborgs while leaving plenty of the story still to be had in the future. I can't wait to find out if Neph will regain all of her memories, what Metatron does to our newest bad guy, how Jake responds to the news he received on the last pages, and how Finwick is enjoying his new job. The war is far approaching and the lines are not yet clearly drawn.
This book is available for pre-order on amazon for $3.99 with the release date of March 23. Get yours now so you can begin reading the day it comes out. Trust me when I say you won't be able to put it down!
It has been a year since Nephilim first went off the grid and fell in love with a ROSPROM agent. One year since her memory was wiped and Metatron killed her. Since then she has become high-archangel under Metatron and the Crown Princess. Nephilim adores Metatron and nothing could change that...or could it? As someone continues to kill the guardian angels she regains memories from before the wipe. The most concerning of all of the person she holds dearest killing her. However, when she confronts him he does the unexpected, giving her a glimpse into events from his perspective. Now, he hopes that this last year they have spent together will be enough to allow her to see things his way. Because a war is coming and nothing will stand in the angel's way.
I received this ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review. I have been a reviewer and fan of Anna's work since I got my hands on Shadow City over two years ago. Since then she and I frequently talk over her books and other things and my love for her has only grown. She is an amazing and talented writer and it is my pleasure to work with her and read her books. Now, on to what you really want to know: does book three hold up against the other two BBE books? Of course it does!
As I was reading it I let Anna know that I wasn't seeing Metatron as quite the bad guy I had seen him as in the past books. I felt something for him, and I wasn't sure how I felt about that as he was definitely the character I loved to hate in other books. She was amused and told me that was her point. By the close of the book I still agree with that assessment. He is a dick, but fiercely protective of the ones he holds closest and will go to the ends of the world to achieve what is needed for them.
In the other books my favorite character was Adriel, Nephilim's partner and a periphery character. He played a part in this book, and I loved the times when he showed up. Even if their comradery wasn't quite at the level of in book one that is understandable considering the memory wipe. Maybe she will eventually know what he did for her. Either way I love him now as I loved him then.
Now, I mentioned Anna took away our favorite bad guy. The one we all loved to hate. This is true, but she didn't leave us hanging. Instead we are presented with someone even more deserving of our hatred. A truly sadistic man that you will learn more about within these pages. Let's just say the scars on his victims will survive a long time for any that survive.
Jake again plays a part in this book, but rather than rooting for him as I was in previous books he felt more like a little lost puppy than a viable partner anymore. He didn't change, but my attitude towards him as a reader changed. He is still in love with Neph and hopes for their perfect future, working hard towards that goal. Perhaps it is because we can see how Neph has changed over the last year and I'm not sure that, even with her memories fully restored, would she want to be with Jake anymore. She knows so much more about the inner workings of Olympia now.
As always Anna gives us just what we crave: more killer cyborgs while leaving plenty of the story still to be had in the future. I can't wait to find out if Neph will regain all of her memories, what Metatron does to our newest bad guy, how Jake responds to the news he received on the last pages, and how Finwick is enjoying his new job. The war is far approaching and the lines are not yet clearly drawn.
This book is available for pre-order on amazon for $3.99 with the release date of March 23. Get yours now so you can begin reading the day it comes out. Trust me when I say you won't be able to put it down!
March 23, 2022
BEHIND BLUE EYES: WAR GAMES by Anna Mocikat is the third installment of the Behind Blue Eyes series. A series about a young cybernetically enhanced super-soldier, Nephilim, who has been working as a brainwashed member of a brutal megacorp-backed death squad for years. Nephilim briefly got her freedom but has since been forced back into the ironically-named Guardian Angels' service.
The story begins as an almost immediate sequel to FALLEN ANGELS, where someone has been committing a series of brutal assaults and murders on Guardian Angels despite their super-soldier status. Their weaknesses have been sold to the highest bidder and the serial killer may have the support of the mysterious Rosprom Corporation.
Anna Mocikat is a master of tension as she manages to make the scenes between Metatron and Nephilim both sexually charged as well as revolting. Metatron is an incredibly well-realized bad guy and his arguments make sense. In a future where the vast majority of people are brainwashed fools or corrupt corporate executives, he's one of the few remaining philosophers as well as thinkers. He's also disgusting because the audience never forgets that he's selectively erased Nephilim's memory so she can give no informed consent to their "romance."
Nephilim, herself, is going through an interesting development as we saw her become a more traditional heroine when she had access to her full memories but now is sliding further and further down Metatron's worldview of us vs. them. It's a unique take and makes it clear that she's heading closer and closer to the Dark Side. There's also a very real chance she's not going to come out of it. Part of what makes Anna Mocikat's books interesting is the fact her protagonists can and do make the journey to villain while continuing to be our POV characters as seen in her Shadow City books.
We also see other characters take a walk on the dark side as well as show grittier sides to their characterization. Romantic lead Jake seemed like a perfect boyfriend in the first book but that was just a cover for serving as a honey pot. While Fallen Angels provided some scenes from his perspective, the new book provides some insight into his most unlikable qualities. Jake flat out does not care about any of the other Guardian Angels, collateral damage, or even his own side as long as he gets to "rescue" Nephilim. He's happy to abet murder and worse if it gets him closer to her and it makes him both interesting as well as despicable.
I admit, part of what attracts me to the Behind Blue Eyes world is the juxtaposition of the beautiful Matrix-esque leather-clad supersoldiers with its pitch black storytelling. There's likable protagonists in the book like Shiro, Spyder, and Finwick. People who just want to do the right thing but are caught in the corruption of a system that show no one "good" is going to come to power no matter who wins the corporate wars. No one is a cartoon villain either, well except for the misogynist serial killer but that goes without saying, and are following motives that make sense in the dark world they've found themselves.
These are fantastic books with great action, storytelling, deep characterization, and writing. I think my only complaint is the fact the story is very much a middle portion of the series. We don't get a resolution on a lot of the plots and a good deal is set up for resolution in the sequels. This is the Empire Strikes Back of the series and I am already eager to get the next volume.
The story begins as an almost immediate sequel to FALLEN ANGELS, where someone has been committing a series of brutal assaults and murders on Guardian Angels despite their super-soldier status. Their weaknesses have been sold to the highest bidder and the serial killer may have the support of the mysterious Rosprom Corporation.
Anna Mocikat is a master of tension as she manages to make the scenes between Metatron and Nephilim both sexually charged as well as revolting. Metatron is an incredibly well-realized bad guy and his arguments make sense. In a future where the vast majority of people are brainwashed fools or corrupt corporate executives, he's one of the few remaining philosophers as well as thinkers. He's also disgusting because the audience never forgets that he's selectively erased Nephilim's memory so she can give no informed consent to their "romance."
Nephilim, herself, is going through an interesting development as we saw her become a more traditional heroine when she had access to her full memories but now is sliding further and further down Metatron's worldview of us vs. them. It's a unique take and makes it clear that she's heading closer and closer to the Dark Side. There's also a very real chance she's not going to come out of it. Part of what makes Anna Mocikat's books interesting is the fact her protagonists can and do make the journey to villain while continuing to be our POV characters as seen in her Shadow City books.
We also see other characters take a walk on the dark side as well as show grittier sides to their characterization. Romantic lead Jake seemed like a perfect boyfriend in the first book but that was just a cover for serving as a honey pot. While Fallen Angels provided some scenes from his perspective, the new book provides some insight into his most unlikable qualities. Jake flat out does not care about any of the other Guardian Angels, collateral damage, or even his own side as long as he gets to "rescue" Nephilim. He's happy to abet murder and worse if it gets him closer to her and it makes him both interesting as well as despicable.
I admit, part of what attracts me to the Behind Blue Eyes world is the juxtaposition of the beautiful Matrix-esque leather-clad supersoldiers with its pitch black storytelling. There's likable protagonists in the book like Shiro, Spyder, and Finwick. People who just want to do the right thing but are caught in the corruption of a system that show no one "good" is going to come to power no matter who wins the corporate wars. No one is a cartoon villain either, well except for the misogynist serial killer but that goes without saying, and are following motives that make sense in the dark world they've found themselves.
These are fantastic books with great action, storytelling, deep characterization, and writing. I think my only complaint is the fact the story is very much a middle portion of the series. We don't get a resolution on a lot of the plots and a good deal is set up for resolution in the sequels. This is the Empire Strikes Back of the series and I am already eager to get the next volume.
April 25, 2022
A Cyberpunk Symphony
The third in her riveting Behind Blue Eyes series, Anna Mocikat’s War Games continues to enrich a dystopian world of both intrigue and sophistication. Early in the novel, Metatron, who appropriately both kills our heroine Nephilim and saves her life, explains a sensibility that pervades the narrative: “In this world, there is no right and wrong, good and evil, light and dark. There are only shadows.” Anna Mocikat is a wonderful writer of these shadows, operating in a morally compromised universe full of nuances, contradictions, and twisted nobilities.
While he appeared downright villainous, if urbanely enigmatic, in earlier installments in the series, Metatron is given a deeper exploration here, emerging a sympathetically complex leader whose intelligence and skills can be both blessings and curses. While the action is exciting as ever, with Nephilim extraordinary abilities on full display, the characters are what really pull the reader in. Mocikat regularly shifts perspectives with a psychological integrity that makes the reader root for everyone from the traitorous hacker Finwick and his resilient adopted daughter Sarah to the pretty boy detective Siro to even the thug Sammy.
Along with underground skirmishes and full-scale street fights, these characters confront an environment that balances oppressions and aesthetic augmentations. Metatron’s concise and penetrating commentaries of governmental strategies that hearken back to the bread and circuses of ancient Rome allow the reader to experience to rhythms of day-to-day Olympias even as the extraordinary unfolds over the course of the novel.
Unsurprisingly, the climax really delivers and points the reader to at least one more installment in the series. I can’t wait. So much these novels are wonderful allegorical echoes of our current situation (the Eastern European dynamic feels particularly prescient). Science fiction this smart, nuanced, and entertaining makes me see our world better.
The third in her riveting Behind Blue Eyes series, Anna Mocikat’s War Games continues to enrich a dystopian world of both intrigue and sophistication. Early in the novel, Metatron, who appropriately both kills our heroine Nephilim and saves her life, explains a sensibility that pervades the narrative: “In this world, there is no right and wrong, good and evil, light and dark. There are only shadows.” Anna Mocikat is a wonderful writer of these shadows, operating in a morally compromised universe full of nuances, contradictions, and twisted nobilities.
While he appeared downright villainous, if urbanely enigmatic, in earlier installments in the series, Metatron is given a deeper exploration here, emerging a sympathetically complex leader whose intelligence and skills can be both blessings and curses. While the action is exciting as ever, with Nephilim extraordinary abilities on full display, the characters are what really pull the reader in. Mocikat regularly shifts perspectives with a psychological integrity that makes the reader root for everyone from the traitorous hacker Finwick and his resilient adopted daughter Sarah to the pretty boy detective Siro to even the thug Sammy.
Along with underground skirmishes and full-scale street fights, these characters confront an environment that balances oppressions and aesthetic augmentations. Metatron’s concise and penetrating commentaries of governmental strategies that hearken back to the bread and circuses of ancient Rome allow the reader to experience to rhythms of day-to-day Olympias even as the extraordinary unfolds over the course of the novel.
Unsurprisingly, the climax really delivers and points the reader to at least one more installment in the series. I can’t wait. So much these novels are wonderful allegorical echoes of our current situation (the Eastern European dynamic feels particularly prescient). Science fiction this smart, nuanced, and entertaining makes me see our world better.
March 23, 2022
War Games is the third book in the Behind Blue Eyes series written by independent author Anna Mocikat. A noir cyberpunk novel about a cyborg femme fatale, who is part of an elite fighting unit.
This book continues directly after the events of Fallen Angels and answers the question readers from the second book have been waiting for: Why did you kill me?
True to the series, the book presents plenty of action, steamy sex scenes, and light gore. Mocikat brings political elements to the foreground, readers will get a glimpse at the rot behind the shine to this utopian society.
This quick read is sure to please fans of the series. While Mocikat answered many burning questions, some linger, providing ample opportunity to entice readers to dive into Last Stand, tentatively scheduled for a fall 2022 release!
This book continues directly after the events of Fallen Angels and answers the question readers from the second book have been waiting for: Why did you kill me?
True to the series, the book presents plenty of action, steamy sex scenes, and light gore. Mocikat brings political elements to the foreground, readers will get a glimpse at the rot behind the shine to this utopian society.
This quick read is sure to please fans of the series. While Mocikat answered many burning questions, some linger, providing ample opportunity to entice readers to dive into Last Stand, tentatively scheduled for a fall 2022 release!
March 30, 2022
Exciting continuation for the series!
I loved the first two books and this third one is excellent too. The author does a great job of weaving the power struggles within Olympias between the businessmen, the enhanced humans, and the underworld. Like the rest of the series, the pages turn quickly with a nuanced world and fun characters. As a word of warning, this is a bit more adult than the other books, yet every bit as exciting.
I loved the first two books and this third one is excellent too. The author does a great job of weaving the power struggles within Olympias between the businessmen, the enhanced humans, and the underworld. Like the rest of the series, the pages turn quickly with a nuanced world and fun characters. As a word of warning, this is a bit more adult than the other books, yet every bit as exciting.
April 17, 2022
Another action packed entry.
Anna delivers more of the same intrigue and action in War Games.
Things are getting interesting and many of the elements from the first two stories are converging in this, the third.
This story coves a lot of ground plot wise as it brings many previous elements together, but that doesn't come at a cost to action. There are large sections that had me racing through the pages to find out what will happen next.
There is plenty of action, sex, violence as well as thought provoking insights into Olympus society and its underlying power structures.
I enjoyed this entry as much as the others and it has a satisfying ending that also leaves enough unanswered questions to make me excited for the next book.
Each of the characters are unique, filled with ambiguity and forced to make difficult decisions that makes them interesting. The world building is fantastic and the descriptions of the Aquarium restaurant made me want to visit.
I'm already looking forward to the next entry because things are about to level up in a grand scale.
Anna delivers more of the same intrigue and action in War Games.
Things are getting interesting and many of the elements from the first two stories are converging in this, the third.
This story coves a lot of ground plot wise as it brings many previous elements together, but that doesn't come at a cost to action. There are large sections that had me racing through the pages to find out what will happen next.
There is plenty of action, sex, violence as well as thought provoking insights into Olympus society and its underlying power structures.
I enjoyed this entry as much as the others and it has a satisfying ending that also leaves enough unanswered questions to make me excited for the next book.
Each of the characters are unique, filled with ambiguity and forced to make difficult decisions that makes them interesting. The world building is fantastic and the descriptions of the Aquarium restaurant made me want to visit.
I'm already looking forward to the next entry because things are about to level up in a grand scale.
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March 24, 2022It's a Plus
The 3rd in the series brings us into conflict as we can see the brainwashing but we see different viewpoints and of course politics and how it changes the story with each side playing for keeps. The political situation actually makes this even better even although im not usually too into it. A great balancing act as we see behind the curtain and the precipice ready for book 4 will leave you wanting so much more.
The 3rd in the series brings us into conflict as we can see the brainwashing but we see different viewpoints and of course politics and how it changes the story with each side playing for keeps. The political situation actually makes this even better even although im not usually too into it. A great balancing act as we see behind the curtain and the precipice ready for book 4 will leave you wanting so much more.
May 4, 2022
For some reason, I had it in my head that this was a trilogy. I didn't realize that there will be more in the series until I was wrapping up the last few pages. The world building has been fantastic and I am invested in the characters. So I was super happy to realize that Book #4 will be out, I'm only sad that I have to wait another year to read it.
I'm going to give my 'review' of the series thus far. I won't leave any unhidden spoilers for Book 3 here, but there may be some for earlier books in the series.
Books 2 and 3 have been my favorite so far. Since I read on a Kindle I couldn't believe that they were 400+ pages since they definitely didn't feel that long. The story flowed well and I was invested the entire ride.
My initial complaint was with the pacing with Book 1. I felt like it was off, especially when Nephilim met Jake. It seemed like it was literally 'love at first sight' which just didn't make sense for me, especially with their individual personalities and histories. I would have preferred more time be spent building that relationship or have more of an explanation on why it happened so quickly.
Outside of that complaint, I have really enjoyed this series and am planning on reading more of Mocikat's work.
I recommend this to any cyberpunk/science fiction fan who doesn't mind gore and adult themes.
I'm going to give my 'review' of the series thus far. I won't leave any unhidden spoilers for Book 3 here, but there may be some for earlier books in the series.
Books 2 and 3 have been my favorite so far. Since I read on a Kindle I couldn't believe that they were 400+ pages since they definitely didn't feel that long. The story flowed well and I was invested the entire ride.
My initial complaint was with the pacing with Book 1. I felt like it was off, especially when Nephilim met Jake. It seemed like it was literally 'love at first sight' which just didn't make sense for me, especially with their individual personalities and histories. I would have preferred more time be spent building that relationship or have more of an explanation on why it happened so quickly.
Outside of that complaint, I have really enjoyed this series and am planning on reading more of Mocikat's work.
I recommend this to any cyberpunk/science fiction fan who doesn't mind gore and adult themes.
August 16, 2023
Audiobook review:
Mocikat has done it again with another amazing sequel in the Behind Blue Eyes series!
War Games up the stakes once again. Nephilim is starting to remember her past, and it seems many of the people in it are coming back to haunt her.
With a skill that is hard to emulate, Mocikat makes you question everything you thought you knew about the previous books.
I couldn’t stop listening to this story. The narrators did a wonderful job giving everyone a voice and now I’m already eagerly awaiting the next installment!
Mocikat has done it again with another amazing sequel in the Behind Blue Eyes series!
War Games up the stakes once again. Nephilim is starting to remember her past, and it seems many of the people in it are coming back to haunt her.
With a skill that is hard to emulate, Mocikat makes you question everything you thought you knew about the previous books.
I couldn’t stop listening to this story. The narrators did a wonderful job giving everyone a voice and now I’m already eagerly awaiting the next installment!
March 31, 2022
Another amazing story!
War Games totally blew me away. When I thought the tension and action couldn't have gone up, this book proved me wrong. Anna Mocikat once again transports us to a futuristic cyberpunk reality that is so believable, that you get lost in the first chapter. I'm definitely looking forward to the next book. And p.s. I love Nephilim 💙
War Games totally blew me away. When I thought the tension and action couldn't have gone up, this book proved me wrong. Anna Mocikat once again transports us to a futuristic cyberpunk reality that is so believable, that you get lost in the first chapter. I'm definitely looking forward to the next book. And p.s. I love Nephilim 💙
May 1, 2022
Anna Mocikat does it again!
As the third book in the ongoing saga of Nephilim and the Guardian Angels in the dystopian city of Olympias, this one had a lot live up to and, once again the author knocks it out the park!
Following on from the cliff-hanger ending of the second book, in Behind Blue Eyes: War Games, we find our hero in a surprising place and the story takes in a direction I wasn’t expecting. In fact, the whole book often does that and I loved that about it! Instead of the using the obvious and cliched tropes you might expect, we are shown everything in a different way and the books works all the better for this.
Add to this an ever growing world full of mystery and intrigue and excellent characters that you are intrigued to know more about, this is a series that always leave you wanting the next book to come out quickly!
As the third book in the ongoing saga of Nephilim and the Guardian Angels in the dystopian city of Olympias, this one had a lot live up to and, once again the author knocks it out the park!
Following on from the cliff-hanger ending of the second book, in Behind Blue Eyes: War Games, we find our hero in a surprising place and the story takes in a direction I wasn’t expecting. In fact, the whole book often does that and I loved that about it! Instead of the using the obvious and cliched tropes you might expect, we are shown everything in a different way and the books works all the better for this.
Add to this an ever growing world full of mystery and intrigue and excellent characters that you are intrigued to know more about, this is a series that always leave you wanting the next book to come out quickly!
September 24, 2024
Such a good book the story grips you and you lose track of time, so so good
April 21, 2022
Nephilim is on the warpath as a close friend is mutilated and murdered and left staked out to find.
Power struggles at the top, and Metatron is enraged when Nephilim is lured into a trap and abducted, gripping story all the way throughout, but it does end on a cliff hanger sigh!!!
Power struggles at the top, and Metatron is enraged when Nephilim is lured into a trap and abducted, gripping story all the way throughout, but it does end on a cliff hanger sigh!!!
May 14, 2022
What a wild ride. I am totally invested in this cyberpunk series and can’t wait for the next novel. I need to know what happens next!
August 25, 2024
In "War Games," the third installment of Anna Mocikat’s gripping "Behind Blue Eyes" series, the dystopian world of Olympias deepens with thrilling intensity and psychological complexity. Building on the action and intricate plotting of its predecessors, this novel delves into the shadows of its morally ambiguous universe.
Nephilim, our the cyborg protagonist, now faces a shift in her world view. The once-clear lines between right and wrong blur further. Metatron, a character whose enigmatic and charismatic nature is both compelling and disturbing, reveals new dimensions of his influence and his favoritism towards Nephilim, adding layers of complexity to their fraught relationship.
The narrative's focus on both action and psychological depth makes each plot twist and character revelation hit with greater emotional weight. The multiple perspectives enrich the story, offering a multifaceted view of the ongoing conflict and the gray morality that governs it. There’s questions of loyalty and ethics, as there’s quite a few characters who are neither strictly good or evil.
Mocikat's talent for building suspense is evident as the novel culminates in a dramatic climax that sets the stage for future developments. Despite its darker tone and intense elements, "War Games" maintains the series' engaging storytelling and world-building. The novel ends with a cliffhanger, though, just be advised. (Which I personally do not mind).
Overall, "War Games" not only extends the story of Nephilim and her world but also deepens its exploration of a dystopian society. Onto the next, please!
Nephilim, our the cyborg protagonist, now faces a shift in her world view. The once-clear lines between right and wrong blur further. Metatron, a character whose enigmatic and charismatic nature is both compelling and disturbing, reveals new dimensions of his influence and his favoritism towards Nephilim, adding layers of complexity to their fraught relationship.
The narrative's focus on both action and psychological depth makes each plot twist and character revelation hit with greater emotional weight. The multiple perspectives enrich the story, offering a multifaceted view of the ongoing conflict and the gray morality that governs it. There’s questions of loyalty and ethics, as there’s quite a few characters who are neither strictly good or evil.
Mocikat's talent for building suspense is evident as the novel culminates in a dramatic climax that sets the stage for future developments. Despite its darker tone and intense elements, "War Games" maintains the series' engaging storytelling and world-building. The novel ends with a cliffhanger, though, just be advised. (Which I personally do not mind).
Overall, "War Games" not only extends the story of Nephilim and her world but also deepens its exploration of a dystopian society. Onto the next, please!
May 31, 2024
Das ging schnell.... Dieser Teil war für mich bisher der Beste Teil der Reihe. Und der Cliffhanger am ende treibt mich fast dazu auf englisch lesen zu wollen um nicht auf die Übersetzung zu warten. Aber die TBR ist auch so schon lang genug.
Diesen Teil habe ich fast an einem Stück durchgelesen. Herrlich flüssig geschrieben (oder habe ich jetzt erst so richtig in den Satzbau und den Ton hinein gefunden?), die Stadt wird immer düsterer und die Gefahr immer realer. Neph hat es gabz eindeutig mit den Ohren und es nervt mich wie Meta mit ihr eine väterlichen Nachsicht und gleichzeitig die Hingabe eines frisch verliebten Teenagers hat. Pass in meinem Kopf schwerlich zusammen. Erfrischend war hingegen die Einbindung der Ekelperson aus dem Inneren Circle, schon ein witziger Haufen. Gerne hätte ich mehr von OC 3 gelesen, auch um den kulturellen Hintergrund des OCPD Detektive besser einordnen zu können. Im Gegensatz zu Spider war er leider etwas platt.
Und trotz alldem habe ich die Geschichte verschlungen. Ich will umbedigt wissen wer weiter gehen wird Jake oder Meta. Oder findet Neph vllt einen gabz eigenen Weg?
Diesen Teil habe ich fast an einem Stück durchgelesen. Herrlich flüssig geschrieben (oder habe ich jetzt erst so richtig in den Satzbau und den Ton hinein gefunden?), die Stadt wird immer düsterer und die Gefahr immer realer. Neph hat es gabz eindeutig mit den Ohren und es nervt mich wie Meta mit ihr eine väterlichen Nachsicht und gleichzeitig die Hingabe eines frisch verliebten Teenagers hat. Pass in meinem Kopf schwerlich zusammen. Erfrischend war hingegen die Einbindung der Ekelperson aus dem Inneren Circle, schon ein witziger Haufen. Gerne hätte ich mehr von OC 3 gelesen, auch um den kulturellen Hintergrund des OCPD Detektive besser einordnen zu können. Im Gegensatz zu Spider war er leider etwas platt.
Und trotz alldem habe ich die Geschichte verschlungen. Ich will umbedigt wissen wer weiter gehen wird Jake oder Meta. Oder findet Neph vllt einen gabz eigenen Weg?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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May 16, 2024In this pivotal entry in the BBE series, Mocikat manages to explore deeply the characters we thought we knew without slowing down the action. As Metatron find himself losing control over his feelings for Nephilim, he reveals more and more to her the social theory behind the founding of the cities of Olympias. We get to know him in an entirely new way as he copes with loss of control and even fear, as Nephilim takes bigger and bigger risks, tormented by her inability to protect the ones she cares about. Finwick and Sarah lean on each other as they learn to navigate the underground to survive. Jake's frustrated musings expose for the first time the world of Rosprom. This rich development of Olympias, the underground, and Rosprom transform the way the reader had thought about the first two books. It is a magnificent achievement to reveal so much about the worlds and the characters while still having fast-paced action.
February 19, 2024
Neph Don’t Follow Orders!
This chick is the most disobedient, rule breaking cyborg ever, she don’t never listen to nobody. Hardheaded frfr. Ok so two things saved this book. Finwick & the ending. Finwick, Sarah, Sammy & Momma is the only thing that kept me reading because let’s be honest Neph & HA Metro love devotion thing they got going on is boring & the sex scenes are cringy, so could’ve left those out like we get it everyone is hot for every & anyone whatever. This devoted version of Nephilim is boring & uninspiring so unlike book one. But our author did deliver on the ending it was bomb which is the only reason I’m reading the next book because I was so over this whole series there for a minute. Hopefully this next book which I believe is book 4 will deliver. Great cast of characters & world building.
This chick is the most disobedient, rule breaking cyborg ever, she don’t never listen to nobody. Hardheaded frfr. Ok so two things saved this book. Finwick & the ending. Finwick, Sarah, Sammy & Momma is the only thing that kept me reading because let’s be honest Neph & HA Metro love devotion thing they got going on is boring & the sex scenes are cringy, so could’ve left those out like we get it everyone is hot for every & anyone whatever. This devoted version of Nephilim is boring & uninspiring so unlike book one. But our author did deliver on the ending it was bomb which is the only reason I’m reading the next book because I was so over this whole series there for a minute. Hopefully this next book which I believe is book 4 will deliver. Great cast of characters & world building.
August 23, 2023
I prefer this “episode” more than 2 but less than 1. The new world and fast pace of book 1 set a high bar. The series is now settling into slower pace of a much wider story than Nephilim. We’re seeing independent threads from Metatron, Jake, Nunez and Finnwick. My personal favourite is Finnwick’s arc of growth closely followed by Metatron.
Olympias continues to be a shiny and seedy in equal measures and they’re not mutually exclusive characteristics within the environment. I’d like to see the everyman aspects of the city, and what happens to the people outside of Old Town, even if it is a gun battle through the equivalent of suburbia.
I refer to the book as an episode as some bit from the previous book get tied up and new threads are left open for the next one
Olympias continues to be a shiny and seedy in equal measures and they’re not mutually exclusive characteristics within the environment. I’d like to see the everyman aspects of the city, and what happens to the people outside of Old Town, even if it is a gun battle through the equivalent of suburbia.
I refer to the book as an episode as some bit from the previous book get tied up and new threads are left open for the next one
May 12, 2025
THIS GETS BETTER WITH WVERY BOOK!
Wow! Just wow!
Book three was better than two & one put together.
Well written, thought about &’executed by the authoress!
Can’t wait to start Book 4 in the morning!
Well worth the read this series is said the great Yoda … the cybernetic one that is!
Wow! Just wow!
Book three was better than two & one put together.
Well written, thought about &’executed by the authoress!
Can’t wait to start Book 4 in the morning!
Well worth the read this series is said the great Yoda … the cybernetic one that is!
April 30, 2024
Audible all the way with this series, Nephilim and Metatron rock, and the other angels are great. Anna's writing style is light on the prose and heavy on the action sequences which she sets up with ease and delivers carnage in a satisfying way!
August 26, 2023
I truly enjoyed this story. Nehalem worked to better the world for everyone, not just the Angels. She put everything she knew on the line. That took guts.
May 20, 2024
Really good continuation of the story.
May 15, 2025
Another action packed book in this great series.
Tough cliff hanger ending and the baddest of the bad guys are still around
Back for more sometime soon
Tough cliff hanger ending and the baddest of the bad guys are still around
Back for more sometime soon
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