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Policy of Lies #1
A Policy of Lies
LGBT Futuristic Urban Fantasy Suspense Twenty years ago, Levi Kaszeri survived a brutal rebellion on the mining colony of Tarus 9. Now as an aspiring reporter, Levi has a to expose the massacre to the public, and bring the men responsible to justice.But after a violent attack, he is rescued -- then seduced -- by Tiergan Seoras, a young doctor with a dangerous past and a slave tattoo.Soon Levi finds all of his investigations leading him back to Tiergan. And he begins to fear that the best lover he's ever had may also be his worst enemy.Publisher's This book contains explicit sexual content, graphic language, and situations that some readers may find Anal play/intercourse, male/male sexual practices, violence.
181 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 1, 2008
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
April 6, 2019
Posted at Shelf Inflicted
I bought this title because I so thoroughly enjoyed Astrid Amara’s fun, sweet, humorous and romantic stories in Tangle.
The fun begins when investigative reporter Levi Kaszeri is walking through the worst district in the city to collect a piece of evidence, a memory implant he needs to complete his story of a massacre that took place on Tarus 9, a mining colony where Levi spent his childhood and where his family was brutally murdered. He is attacked by a mugger and promptly rescued by Tiergen Seoras, a gorgeous doctor with many secrets, who runs a free clinic nearby. Their attraction is instant, and Levi finds his growing relationship with the doctor is complicated by what his investigations reveal.
There is much to like about this story. I loved the future setting and independent space colonies with domed biospheres and simulated seasons. I loved the exploration of corporate crime and abuse. I loved the fast pace and suspenseful scenes and the well-drawn secondary characters.
What frustrated me most was the character of Levi. I expected a bit more “street sense” from someone who managed to survive a brutal massacre as a child and is now working as a reporter which requires a certain amount of discretion and common sense. I was able to figure out who the bad guys were long before Levi did and I really wanted to strangle him for his stupidity. He was so obsessed with revenge for his family’s murder and his sex life that he failed to see there was another side to the story at Tiergan’s peril.
Despite its flaws, I found this story difficult to put down and look forward to more of Astrid Amara’s work.
I bought this title because I so thoroughly enjoyed Astrid Amara’s fun, sweet, humorous and romantic stories in Tangle.
The fun begins when investigative reporter Levi Kaszeri is walking through the worst district in the city to collect a piece of evidence, a memory implant he needs to complete his story of a massacre that took place on Tarus 9, a mining colony where Levi spent his childhood and where his family was brutally murdered. He is attacked by a mugger and promptly rescued by Tiergen Seoras, a gorgeous doctor with many secrets, who runs a free clinic nearby. Their attraction is instant, and Levi finds his growing relationship with the doctor is complicated by what his investigations reveal.
There is much to like about this story. I loved the future setting and independent space colonies with domed biospheres and simulated seasons. I loved the exploration of corporate crime and abuse. I loved the fast pace and suspenseful scenes and the well-drawn secondary characters.
What frustrated me most was the character of Levi. I expected a bit more “street sense” from someone who managed to survive a brutal massacre as a child and is now working as a reporter which requires a certain amount of discretion and common sense. I was able to figure out who the bad guys were long before Levi did and I really wanted to strangle him for his stupidity. He was so obsessed with revenge for his family’s murder and his sex life that he failed to see there was another side to the story at Tiergan’s peril.
Despite its flaws, I found this story difficult to put down and look forward to more of Astrid Amara’s work.
March 1, 2020
I keep switching back and forth between 4 and 5 stars here.
Sure, the story had a few plot holes, and yes, Levi and Tiergan's romance did not sweep me off my feet. But still, I appreciate a good plot idea when I see one and this story definitely qualifies as a stellar sci-fi plot premise in a m/m setting. I'm actually really impressed.
Even though it doesn't take a scientist to know who Levi's secret source was. I mean, it was so obvious, the only thing missing was a huge neon light sign pointing down on the guy.
Regarding the plot:
On a far away human colony in space, Levi is a handsome young journalist who is desperately trying to publish a story that will destroy the mining company that caused the death of his parents many years earlier.
An anonymous source throws a chip implant his way from a cyborg man who worked for the mining company and whose visual recordings of the tormented employees are now official evidence in Levi's story.
Trying to find the source who provided the implant, he is attacked by a stranger and is saved by a rundown cyborg doctor who works at a free clinic in a shabby district.
The two bond and have sex and while Levi keeps chasing his source and promoting his article, Dr Tiergan Seoras treats sick people too poor to afford medical insurance while ignoring his personal needs time and again, except when Levi knocks on his door for more mind-blowing sex.
Man, even a short overview for a review shows that the story is a bit too simple to leave room for suspense, LOL.
So without giving further details away, let me justify my high rating by saying that I found some concepts in this story that were really impressive and thought provoking and that would have been great plot bunnies even for mainstream sci-fi. I really love it when a story makes me think about the possibilities and dangers that await mankind in the future.
Plus, the writing is excellent!
4 stars!
Sure, the story had a few plot holes, and yes, Levi and Tiergan's romance did not sweep me off my feet. But still, I appreciate a good plot idea when I see one and this story definitely qualifies as a stellar sci-fi plot premise in a m/m setting. I'm actually really impressed.
Even though it doesn't take a scientist to know who Levi's secret source was. I mean, it was so obvious, the only thing missing was a huge neon light sign pointing down on the guy.
Regarding the plot:
On a far away human colony in space, Levi is a handsome young journalist who is desperately trying to publish a story that will destroy the mining company that caused the death of his parents many years earlier.
An anonymous source throws a chip implant his way from a cyborg man who worked for the mining company and whose visual recordings of the tormented employees are now official evidence in Levi's story.
Trying to find the source who provided the implant, he is attacked by a stranger and is saved by a rundown cyborg doctor who works at a free clinic in a shabby district.
The two bond and have sex and while Levi keeps chasing his source and promoting his article, Dr Tiergan Seoras treats sick people too poor to afford medical insurance while ignoring his personal needs time and again, except when Levi knocks on his door for more mind-blowing sex.
Man, even a short overview for a review shows that the story is a bit too simple to leave room for suspense, LOL.
So without giving further details away, let me justify my high rating by saying that I found some concepts in this story that were really impressive and thought provoking and that would have been great plot bunnies even for mainstream sci-fi. I really love it when a story makes me think about the possibilities and dangers that await mankind in the future.
Plus, the writing is excellent!
4 stars!
September 4, 2018
The world building was good, the plot could have been really interesting if it wasn’t clear from the start who was the informant and who was the bad guy. The only surprise was , everything else you could spot from a mile away and I’ve no idea why Levi didn’t. For being a supposedly experienced journalist, he was rather too clueless to be believable.
I’ve only read a short story by this author before this book and I don’t remember the writing being so...not exactly bad, but...robotic, so I’m hoping it was because this is one of her earlier works. Anyway, the complete lack of subtlety and emotion in the writing killed the romance and the chemistry between the MCs was so non-existent that when the ILYs arrived I didn’t buy it.
I also have trouble buying the ending, it really didn’t make any sense how
I’ve only read a short story by this author before this book and I don’t remember the writing being so...not exactly bad, but...robotic, so I’m hoping it was because this is one of her earlier works. Anyway, the complete lack of subtlety and emotion in the writing killed the romance and the chemistry between the MCs was so non-existent that when the ILYs arrived I didn’t buy it.
I also have trouble buying the ending, it really didn’t make any sense how
September 18, 2016
Well written, great world building and the plot was interesting. A solid scifi story from Astrid.
July 7, 2015
This one was an excellent read. The plot, the world-building, the romance, the character development, the powerful writing… everything was really well done.
Wonderful, great written sci-fi story, loved it. Highly recommended!
October 3, 2011
Excellent! Engaging characters, great world-building, interesting sci-fi setting, exciting plot, steamy and compelling romance. The writing was tight and smooth and the story engrossing.
5+ stars
5+ stars
December 8, 2011
4.5 stars
This is the second story of Astrid Amara that I read and I am really impressed. "A Policy of Lies" give me everything I want in a good story. A sympathetic likeable characters, intriguing plot, hot sexy sex scenes, and a great description of fantasy world. I'm not really into sci-fi world, but when it is well-written like this, I'm all for it. I truly enjoy how the story is being built up -- and the chemistry between Levi and Tiergan is strong, I can feel it (an everytime they have the hot sex *sigh*). Yes, the sex is there but not overwhelming. I love Levi and his naivete (which is not very strong virtue for a reporter *g*). Tiergan intrigues me too, and I feel bad for what he has been through.
The story has enough angst and emotion to make me deeply connected to the story. I think, this is one of my favorite M/M sci-fi stories to date (aside from J.M. Synder's "Persistence of Memory")
This is the second story of Astrid Amara that I read and I am really impressed. "A Policy of Lies" give me everything I want in a good story. A sympathetic likeable characters, intriguing plot, hot sexy sex scenes, and a great description of fantasy world. I'm not really into sci-fi world, but when it is well-written like this, I'm all for it. I truly enjoy how the story is being built up -- and the chemistry between Levi and Tiergan is strong, I can feel it (an everytime they have the hot sex *sigh*). Yes, the sex is there but not overwhelming. I love Levi and his naivete (which is not very strong virtue for a reporter *g*). Tiergan intrigues me too, and I feel bad for what he has been through.
The story has enough angst and emotion to make me deeply connected to the story. I think, this is one of my favorite M/M sci-fi stories to date (aside from J.M. Synder's "Persistence of Memory")
May 26, 2019
Investigative reporter falls in love with a trans human, a doctor with mass cybernetics, a regular cyborg. As predictable as the mystery was, it was still enjoyable. Yet, I was not overly fond of Levi. I found him too rash and immature, blinded by his revenge. Now Tiergan’s character was the intriguing one. With all of his gizmos, it was like there was nothing he couldn’t accomplish medical wise.
May 13, 2019
This story had a lot going for it but missed out on the world building. We were given glimpses but that was all. While technology seemed advanced, waste management, food and clothing didn't seem much different from now.
The mystery was really only a mystery to those in the story, to the reader the truth stuck out like dog's balls. For a seasoned reporter Levi seemed too trusting and ready to take people at face value ie he seemed clueless.
Still I enjoyed the story.
The mystery was really only a mystery to those in the story, to the reader the truth stuck out like dog's balls. For a seasoned reporter Levi seemed too trusting and ready to take people at face value ie he seemed clueless.
Still I enjoyed the story.
July 3, 2016
4.0 Stars
Solid scifi story with a tried and true revenge theme. What I liked best was the cybernetic/mechanical implants being used for medical treatment and care.
And, honestly, given today's pro-corporate environment and the penny-pinching, morally bankrupt attitude of most insurance companies, the involuntary servitude of strategic policy holders seems less in the realm of "impossible" and leaning more toward "improbable but certainly a consideration." The only flaw I can see in the implementation of such a plan is the contractual viability of "double-dipping" - an insured paying installments toward the policy and then ALSO being indentured interminably after death for it's payout & cost of re-animation.
After all, even now if willed as such in the policy a body can be used for medical experimentation or organ harvesting...and, once dead. a person is no longer a person (TECHnically) - thus, bringing them back to life after a certain death (once THAT issue is figured out) could be considered the insurance company's prerogative to experiment. It's only a hop/skip/jump to the enforcement of owing reparations for the costs involved for it indefinitely. (So reminiscent of the "company town" of days gone by.) Again, the pre-payments are the only fly in that enforceable ointment of contract law and making sure that the company is not intentionally offing it's policy holders (which is an option I could see a different kind of corporation taking advantage of, or maybe even corrupt governments).
Nothing hindering it, you know, besides the ethical implications of what amounts to torture & slavery.
Sometimes, I hate the way my brain works after spending time in management and law school...
(Oh, and thanks to this book I also know that Medical Fetish/Doctor-play is now one of those things I don't want to read again. Now it's a kink that is hard-Limit listed, for certain.)
Solid scifi story with a tried and true revenge theme. What I liked best was the cybernetic/mechanical implants being used for medical treatment and care.
And, honestly, given today's pro-corporate environment and the penny-pinching, morally bankrupt attitude of most insurance companies, the involuntary servitude of strategic policy holders seems less in the realm of "impossible" and leaning more toward "improbable but certainly a consideration." The only flaw I can see in the implementation of such a plan is the contractual viability of "double-dipping" - an insured paying installments toward the policy and then ALSO being indentured interminably after death for it's payout & cost of re-animation.
After all, even now if willed as such in the policy a body can be used for medical experimentation or organ harvesting...and, once dead. a person is no longer a person (TECHnically) - thus, bringing them back to life after a certain death (once THAT issue is figured out) could be considered the insurance company's prerogative to experiment. It's only a hop/skip/jump to the enforcement of owing reparations for the costs involved for it indefinitely. (So reminiscent of the "company town" of days gone by.) Again, the pre-payments are the only fly in that enforceable ointment of contract law and making sure that the company is not intentionally offing it's policy holders (which is an option I could see a different kind of corporation taking advantage of, or maybe even corrupt governments).
Nothing hindering it, you know, besides the ethical implications of what amounts to torture & slavery.
Sometimes, I hate the way my brain works after spending time in management and law school...
(Oh, and thanks to this book I also know that Medical Fetish/Doctor-play is now one of those things I don't want to read again. Now it's a kink that is hard-Limit listed, for certain.)
June 10, 2017
One of Astrid Amara's earlier stories. Really good. Even though some of the mystery elements were rather obvious, the heart of the matter was the collision of Levi's and Tiergan's tragic individual backstories. I liked their developing attraction and relationship. More world building would have been nice, but it was still darkly atmospheric and gritty. Supporting characters Imogen (Levi's roommate) and Kera (Tiergan's office manager) were welcome additions to the tale. It probably wrapped up a bit too conveniently but I couldn't put the book down once I got into it. Recommended!
March 1, 2016
Very quick read, despite 180 pages. I really enjoyed it, even though Levi was a little too slow on the uptake for a journalist.
3.75, rounding up to 4 :)
3.75, rounding up to 4 :)
June 25, 2016
2.5 stars
June 7, 2017
Although I did like this, too many of the mystery elements were entirely obvious, which made Levi seem like and idiot and Tiergan like a horrible person for misleading him. It's a little low on world-building, but some of the tech is pretty cool. I'm excited to read the next one.
February 13, 2014
3.75
I'm a bit torn about this one (I had quite a bit of this lately, seems like quite a trend ;-D). I really loved the science-fiction aspects, and I especially loved that the main characters had pretty "mundane" jobs for such a setting - a journalist and a doctor. That isn't something you see very often in science-fiction. The mystery component, the intricacies and unexpected elements of the plot were great - I really loved those! To be honest, the beginning was fairly slow, but once the suspense part really got going, it got me going with it. And I found myself, once again, glued to my chair.
The part I didn't get into that much was the romance plot. I liked the characters per se - I found their background interesting and it all fit very well to the general story line and theme. So far so good.
But the romance just didn't engage me. I didn't feel their connection, didn't really see the attraction or the emotional development. It was all there, but it just felt flat to me, slightly detached. Even the sex parts didn't work for me - probably because I didn't think much of the relationship in the first place. I think, this is one of the books that I'd have liked better if the romance part had been reduced to a bare minimum or only had been hinted at (not skipped entirely though, a little bit of romance is always good after all :-D), and the plot had focused almost completely on the suspense part and the general setting.
There were a few general things also not on my personal hit list: the writing felt a bit awkward sometimes and a few scenes didn't really seem believable to me ().
I still want to round my rating up to four stars, simply because I think that the great suspense part of the plot deserves it. But it clearly isn't without flaws - and if I had to separately rate the romance it'd be somewhere between two and three stars unfortunately.
I'm a bit torn about this one (I had quite a bit of this lately, seems like quite a trend ;-D). I really loved the science-fiction aspects, and I especially loved that the main characters had pretty "mundane" jobs for such a setting - a journalist and a doctor. That isn't something you see very often in science-fiction. The mystery component, the intricacies and unexpected elements of the plot were great - I really loved those! To be honest, the beginning was fairly slow, but once the suspense part really got going, it got me going with it. And I found myself, once again, glued to my chair.
The part I didn't get into that much was the romance plot. I liked the characters per se - I found their background interesting and it all fit very well to the general story line and theme. So far so good.
But the romance just didn't engage me. I didn't feel their connection, didn't really see the attraction or the emotional development. It was all there, but it just felt flat to me, slightly detached. Even the sex parts didn't work for me - probably because I didn't think much of the relationship in the first place. I think, this is one of the books that I'd have liked better if the romance part had been reduced to a bare minimum or only had been hinted at (not skipped entirely though, a little bit of romance is always good after all :-D), and the plot had focused almost completely on the suspense part and the general setting.
There were a few general things also not on my personal hit list: the writing felt a bit awkward sometimes and a few scenes didn't really seem believable to me ().
I still want to round my rating up to four stars, simply because I think that the great suspense part of the plot deserves it. But it clearly isn't without flaws - and if I had to separately rate the romance it'd be somewhere between two and three stars unfortunately.
November 10, 2012
Quite hard to rate this one. 4 stars for the world: Well-built, very interesting, very well thought out. The conspiracy of million-dollar corporations, journalism, the Tarus 9 strike and insurance companies lent a very realistic feeling to the world. Writing was brilliant too - the descriptions of Washoe and Ishan were so real you can almost see the place. The story flowed smoothly and even when there are paragraphs filled with description, you don't get bored.
Now the plot and the characters on the other hand, merit 3 stars at best. Plot was alright, but carried out with subpar characters. Levi was much too naive and trusting for a journalist who supposedly had years and years of experience under his belt. Tiergan was stu-ish in that he seems completely flawless: kind, tortured past, brooding present, selflessness, and uber-doctor abilities? He may not be perfect, but he's running a close second.
Consequently, both main characters made a story that would otherwise be exciting and interesting felt bland and stale. The romance especially, was completely unconvincing. There doesn't seem to be anything between them except good sex, distrust, and a lot of secret-induced hostility. Not really a platform upon to base a thousand years of relationship.
The secondary characters felt little better. Imogen and that hacker love interest of hers were clearly just there to provide information for Levi. The only one even slightly interesting was Kera, and her mystery is dampen by the fact that you can pretty much guess she's not a big player in the picture.
As to the actual plot itself, it was creative, but executed with all the suspense of a B-grade, low-budget movie. You could guess who the informer and agent 75 was from ten million miles away. The moment the plot devices appeared, you could guess how it was going to go down. Even the villain's subterfuge was so transparent, he might as well have his supervillain symbol tattooed on his forehead.
Ending was much too brief and easily wrapped up. Maybe I'm a sadist who just want my characters to suffer, but the ending felt too slick. It fell into the common romance author's trap of making EVERYTHING perfect in the ending. HEAs are pretty much a requirement in romance novels, but the MCs can have a HEA without everything be nigh perfect.
Overall, a very solid read that will keep you interested from start to end. Don't read this if you want a grand, sizzling romance. Read this if you like sci-fi and wouldn't mind MM thrown in for the mix.
Now the plot and the characters on the other hand, merit 3 stars at best. Plot was alright, but carried out with subpar characters. Levi was much too naive and trusting for a journalist who supposedly had years and years of experience under his belt. Tiergan was stu-ish in that he seems completely flawless: kind, tortured past, brooding present, selflessness, and uber-doctor abilities? He may not be perfect, but he's running a close second.
Consequently, both main characters made a story that would otherwise be exciting and interesting felt bland and stale. The romance especially, was completely unconvincing. There doesn't seem to be anything between them except good sex, distrust, and a lot of secret-induced hostility. Not really a platform upon to base a thousand years of relationship.
The secondary characters felt little better. Imogen and that hacker love interest of hers were clearly just there to provide information for Levi. The only one even slightly interesting was Kera, and her mystery is dampen by the fact that you can pretty much guess she's not a big player in the picture.
As to the actual plot itself, it was creative, but executed with all the suspense of a B-grade, low-budget movie. You could guess who the informer and agent 75 was from ten million miles away. The moment the plot devices appeared, you could guess how it was going to go down. Even the villain's subterfuge was so transparent, he might as well have his supervillain symbol tattooed on his forehead.
Ending was much too brief and easily wrapped up. Maybe I'm a sadist who just want my characters to suffer, but the ending felt too slick. It fell into the common romance author's trap of making EVERYTHING perfect in the ending. HEAs are pretty much a requirement in romance novels, but the MCs can have a HEA without everything be nigh perfect.
Overall, a very solid read that will keep you interested from start to end. Don't read this if you want a grand, sizzling romance. Read this if you like sci-fi and wouldn't mind MM thrown in for the mix.
December 24, 2015
4.5 stars
Let me start by saying the title is VERY apt. This author came on my radar when I read and adored Song of the Navigator earlier in the year. That book impressed me so much that I had to read more.
Nice world-building (some of the details were great, like the domed biospheres), sucked me in pretty quickly and kept me hooked with its fast pace, enjoyable female character, seriously sick-ass bad guy(s), and some serious twists. Plenty of action.
The POV character, Levi, is nuanced and well-drawn. We see the whole story through his eyes, and it was amazing to watch all the details coming together for him. Levi seemed stupidly trusting and a mite unobservant in some cases given his status as a investigative reporter and all he’d survived in his past. His single-minded quest for revenge perhaps put blinders on him at times.
Despite (or maybe because of) his mystery, Tiergan fascinated me from the start and that just kept growing as I learned more about him, his strength and sensitivity, his need to help others, his delighted love of birds, and all that we learn about him in the end just about broke my heart.
The characters had chemistry and heat, and would have enjoyed more interaction between them outside of the sex. What was there, I liked a lot, but more would have built up the emotional connection a bit more for me. And the way they jumped right into sex the same night together after Levi had been mugged and beaten pretty badly enough that Tiergan had to do some surgery on him seemed a bit rushed. Despite that, I couldn’t put this down. Highly recommended.
Let me start by saying the title is VERY apt. This author came on my radar when I read and adored Song of the Navigator earlier in the year. That book impressed me so much that I had to read more.
Nice world-building (some of the details were great, like the domed biospheres), sucked me in pretty quickly and kept me hooked with its fast pace, enjoyable female character, seriously sick-ass bad guy(s), and some serious twists. Plenty of action.
The POV character, Levi, is nuanced and well-drawn. We see the whole story through his eyes, and it was amazing to watch all the details coming together for him. Levi seemed stupidly trusting and a mite unobservant in some cases given his status as a investigative reporter and all he’d survived in his past. His single-minded quest for revenge perhaps put blinders on him at times.
Despite (or maybe because of) his mystery, Tiergan fascinated me from the start and that just kept growing as I learned more about him, his strength and sensitivity, his need to help others, his delighted love of birds, and all that we learn about him in the end just about broke my heart.
The characters had chemistry and heat, and would have enjoyed more interaction between them outside of the sex. What was there, I liked a lot, but more would have built up the emotional connection a bit more for me. And the way they jumped right into sex the same night together after Levi had been mugged and beaten pretty badly enough that Tiergan had to do some surgery on him seemed a bit rushed. Despite that, I couldn’t put this down. Highly recommended.
November 4, 2012
SlashReader: So, as noted a few days ago I first encountered Astrid Amara's work in this anthology, Irregulars: Stories by Nicole Kimberling, Josh Lanyon, Ginn Hale and Astrid Amara. I looking around through her other stuff, I decided to give this one a try as it was fairly short and fairly cheep. :)
Still if you like scifi/urban fantasy and a quasi mystery with some suspense and are looking for a light fast read. This one isn't bad. :)
Still if you like scifi/urban fantasy and a quasi mystery with some suspense and are looking for a light fast read. This one isn't bad. :)
November 26, 2011
4.5
This story was so interesting and unique that I just couldn't put it down. The world building component of the story really worked for me, especially Tiergan's body. The plot had so many unique components to it to keep interested. The reader definately knew where things were heading in terms of good/bad guys, but the world provided new challenges. Levi and Tiergan's hot/cold relationship worked in this situation (not something I usually like) and I really just loved Tiergan's sensitivity to those he cared for. Great imaginative story!
This story was so interesting and unique that I just couldn't put it down. The world building component of the story really worked for me, especially Tiergan's body. The plot had so many unique components to it to keep interested. The reader definately knew where things were heading in terms of good/bad guys, but the world provided new challenges. Levi and Tiergan's hot/cold relationship worked in this situation (not something I usually like) and I really just loved Tiergan's sensitivity to those he cared for. Great imaginative story!
June 12, 2013
I love science fiction. This had some trippy situations that were fun but I needed why more world-building, history, information, something. I also thought Levi & Tiergan needed more time to really get to know each other. How can you love someone you can't read? Details and slow down. Yes, I'll read something else from Astrid Amara but I want MORE!
August 11, 2011
I read this work and I finished in 8 hrs because I have to do my work too but damn you I luv this story!! A really2 incredible story full of emotion and romance.. I cried at one part... Astrid Amara is going to be one of my favourite authors.. Love this!!
November 10, 2017
I snatched this older novella on a whim, since Mrs Amara is a household name and I am currently binge-drinking space stories with a MM flavor. It does begin strongly, with a tightly written and well paced first chapter. I was grinning like a loon when things took on a strange turn: our hero gets mugged after retrieving a compromising piece of evidence passed on by an anonymous informant, is rescued at the time when things would get ugly beyongd his being hit by a poisonous dart, by a passer-by who turns out to be a previously indentured doctor with strangely high-tech bioextensions, including a cynbernetic eye that can dart a laser ray and dub as a scanner complete with whirring noise (!), and the two trade a handjob for a blowjob at the doctor's shabby clinic in the boonies. Of course, this chance meeting will soon enough be revealed to be anything but a lucky occurrence; yet the very way the characters connect, with sex happening seemingly on its own, was singularly cheap and shallow and nearly a deal-breaker for a reader who is as strongly as this one into foreshadowing and careful plotting. This abrupt lust at first glance journalist Levi experiments for tall, blond and pale Tiergan, who more than reciprocates it albeit in a controlled fashioned that had me instantly peg him as far older than this looks would seem to disclaim, did not set well with me. The ease with which Levi's roommate (!), a tomboy computer wizard with a love for back rubbings and who plays sidekick until the attraction with Tiergan evolves into deeper feelings, retrieves the entire footage from the cerebral ship, firmly sets the plot into the realm of lucky coincidences and overcontrived events; from this point on, the entire book follows an hackneyed, tired, dull path that reminds one of bad late-time television movies, what with an awfully dense Levi incapable of guessing who his whistleblower is, an elusive, tight-lipped Tiergan who to any discriminating eye glaringly fails at keeping his cards as close to his chest as Mrs Amara would have us believe . The writing exhibits considerable qualities of fluency and smoothness, so I did not grant the book only one star, but the alternation of pithy or excellent dialogues with laughable strings of verbiage, the utter immaturity and professional incompetence of Levi as a reporter, the wholly predictable stamp of the plotline, and a tad bit too many ridiculous elements, especially those related to the ways the villainous corporations managed their cover-up, prevented me from being more generous towards this shallow futuristic suspense slash romance. I will not read the sequel; all the more so since this is not a follow-up of Levi and Tiergan's tale, but a fresh story in the same universe, and presumably a self-contained one.
March 7, 2019
Read for the Pushing Boundaries challenge, category (i.e., square) of Medical Fetish.
So what is a”medical fetish?” Even the medical fetish lists said that some of the books simply had one character in the medical profession, and weren't "medical fetish" per se. Fortunately, A Policy of Lies had a doctor, plus cybernetic implants, so I thought it'd work. Turns out it did have a medical fetish: a doctor who played "Doctor." Hee!
I'd not read any Astrid Amara, although The Devil Lancer has been on my to-read list forever. (And after reading this book, I'm even more anxious to read The Devil Lancer.) Amara is an excellent writer. A Policy of Lies was entertaining, the world-building was interesting, the characters (both main and supporting) were intriguing, and the pacing was nearly perfect, giving us only hints of background, then filling in the blanks later. Yes, I "figured it out" fairly early on, but that didn't stop me from enjoying the book, or thinking that Levi was an idiot. Actually, my thinking was more like, "how smart am I!?"
It was a quick read, partly because it immediately grabbed my attention and I didn't want to put the book down. But maybe a little too quick? There was so much that could have been fleshed out more. I’d liked to have known a bit more about Levi’s background. But more importantly, Tiergan's and Rowan's backgrounds could have (should have?) been more detailed. There was an awful lot missing about their age discrepancies and their "recommissioning" that would have made the book more interesting.
Nor was I crazy about the ending. Yes, it was a happy one but, a bit of a deus ex machina, similar to the one that completely ruined K.J. Charles' A Fashionable Indulgence for me. But even with its flaws, it was a fun read.
Oh, yeah. The book wasn't available through Kindle or Amazon, so I had to download the Nook app. Not a big deal, but 1) highlighting was a bitch, and 2) the highlights aren't available on GR. This could put me on a rant about Nook. I've had a couple of them and was able to download the Kindle app on them. But the proprietary charging cords were a pain, and Nook kept changing them so that when one broke on an older Nook, I couldn't replace it. At all. With that kind of business model, I'm surprised Nook is still around. Ok, so I guess I got that rant out of my system.
So what is a”medical fetish?” Even the medical fetish lists said that some of the books simply had one character in the medical profession, and weren't "medical fetish" per se. Fortunately, A Policy of Lies had a doctor, plus cybernetic implants, so I thought it'd work. Turns out it did have a medical fetish: a doctor who played "Doctor." Hee!
I'd not read any Astrid Amara, although The Devil Lancer has been on my to-read list forever. (And after reading this book, I'm even more anxious to read The Devil Lancer.) Amara is an excellent writer. A Policy of Lies was entertaining, the world-building was interesting, the characters (both main and supporting) were intriguing, and the pacing was nearly perfect, giving us only hints of background, then filling in the blanks later. Yes, I "figured it out" fairly early on, but that didn't stop me from enjoying the book, or thinking that Levi was an idiot. Actually, my thinking was more like, "how smart am I!?"
It was a quick read, partly because it immediately grabbed my attention and I didn't want to put the book down. But maybe a little too quick? There was so much that could have been fleshed out more. I’d liked to have known a bit more about Levi’s background. But more importantly, Tiergan's and Rowan's backgrounds could have (should have?) been more detailed. There was an awful lot missing about their age discrepancies and their "recommissioning" that would have made the book more interesting.
Nor was I crazy about the ending. Yes, it was a happy one but, a bit of a deus ex machina, similar to the one that completely ruined K.J. Charles' A Fashionable Indulgence for me. But even with its flaws, it was a fun read.
Oh, yeah. The book wasn't available through Kindle or Amazon, so I had to download the Nook app. Not a big deal, but 1) highlighting was a bitch, and 2) the highlights aren't available on GR. This could put me on a rant about Nook. I've had a couple of them and was able to download the Kindle app on them. But the proprietary charging cords were a pain, and Nook kept changing them so that when one broke on an older Nook, I couldn't replace it. At all. With that kind of business model, I'm surprised Nook is still around. Ok, so I guess I got that rant out of my system.
May 22, 2019
Levi survived a brutal rebellion over two decades ago and now he will do anything to prove that this massacre actually had to the population and bring those responsible to justice. Teirgan saves him after he is attacked, but all Levi's leads bring him back to this young handsome doctor that he is attracted too.
I enjoyed the story arc, but the world building and characters had some major flaws. Levi was really naïve and trusting for having survived such a brutal past. He really didn't seem to questions the people he should have been questioned and he questioned the people he should have trusted. While there was a mystery to the story, by the time it was revealed it was pretty easy to guess the twist and turns that were going to take place. I did enjoy the epilogue, it helped to tie up the ending of the book, because otherwise it would have been a pretty abrupt end.
I enjoyed the story arc, but the world building and characters had some major flaws. Levi was really naïve and trusting for having survived such a brutal past. He really didn't seem to questions the people he should have been questioned and he questioned the people he should have trusted. While there was a mystery to the story, by the time it was revealed it was pretty easy to guess the twist and turns that were going to take place. I did enjoy the epilogue, it helped to tie up the ending of the book, because otherwise it would have been a pretty abrupt end.
June 28, 2019
This book took me a lot longer to read than it should have. I just couldn't get interested in the storyline. I was so excited to start it and then it just didn't grab me. I kept reading because I kept hoping it would get better. In some ways it did. I was able to start enjoying the reading about 2/3 of the way through. I just never fully got invested.
With the above being said, I would like to give the next in the series a chance. There are things from the first book that are never cleared up. I would like to see what happens with them.
With the above being said, I would like to give the next in the series a chance. There are things from the first book that are never cleared up. I would like to see what happens with them.
May 27, 2019
When I started the book I felt lost. Like I was starting with book three instead of book one. I felt so bad for Levi. His childhood was a horror. When he had to see his dad in the memory chip was heartbreaking.
I did not trust Teirgan or Rowan at first. I had no strong feelings for either characters. The story itself left me uninterested. There was little real mystery. The world building was too rushed and so was the ending.
I did not trust Teirgan or Rowan at first. I had no strong feelings for either characters. The story itself left me uninterested. There was little real mystery. The world building was too rushed and so was the ending.
May 23, 2019
Although the mystery wasn't much of a mystery to the readers, the story was enjoyable.
I wish the world had been explored more. The bits and pieces we got were cool, like recording memories implants, and implant gadgets. But what was actually going on in the world wasn't clear.
Still, I like the characters. Had some steam. I enjoyed it.
I wish the world had been explored more. The bits and pieces we got were cool, like recording memories implants, and implant gadgets. But what was actually going on in the world wasn't clear.
Still, I like the characters. Had some steam. I enjoyed it.
May 15, 2019
I enjoyed the story, although the mystery wasn't so much a mystery for me as a reader. The bad guy and his actions was a bit obvious, although the MC Levi, a journalist, did not have a clue. I found the MCs likeable, the romance a bit insta-love but the sex scenes were hot.
November 27, 2020
I really liked it. The bad guy(s) was too obvious but it was still a fast-paced and entertaining read.
July 26, 2019
You did that hungry!! I loved it, every twist and turn caught me by surprise!! I can’t wait to read more of your books....
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