Broken Line: An Urban Fantasy

Cataclysm #4

by Ann Gimpel

In all my years as a Vampire, hundreds of them, I never imagined humans would be anything other than food.
Rich, pure, delectable blood. Prey that fought back never posed a problem. Mortals couldn't stand against those of us with supernatural ability. That world still exists, but it's taken a backseat to humans who've joined forces with turncoat mages. Mortals were never meant to wield power. Over the long haul, they're sure to be very sorry for the choices they've made.
Meanwhile, they're a huge pain in the rear and a threat to every type of mage, not only Vampires. Some days, I just want to go back to running my nightclub. Ascent is a "don't ask, don't tell" establishment. I never cared who frequented my bar, so long as they brought plenty of money and a powerful thirst for booze.
Maybe someday I'll be a humble innkeeper again, but it's so far in the future I can't even think about it. Nope. For now, all I see is blood. Rivers of it, and not running down my gullet, either. On the plus side, I have good friends, powerful allies, and a Vampire who loves me.
We have to come through this unscathed. Have to. I'm Ariana Hawke, and I take care of what's mine.

Genres: Urban Fantasy

330 pages, Paperback

Published August 3, 2020

About the author

Ann Gimpel is a USA Today bestselling fantasy and romance author. She's also a clinical psychologist with a Jungian bent. Avocations include mountaineering, skiing, wilderness photography and, of course, writing. A lifelong aficionado of the unusual, she began writing speculative fiction a few years ago. Since then her short fiction has appeared in a number of webzines and anthologies. Her longer books run the gamut from urban fantasy to paranormal romance. She’s published over 75 books to date, with several more contracted for 2019 and beyond.

Reviews

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Magic and mayhem abound in this final book in the "Cataclysm series". With guaranteed HEAs , this series is one you won't want to miss. I loved every minute of this series and didn't want to put it down. I read an Advanced copy of this book with NO expectation of a review . Any and all opinions are my own.

[Deb Barringer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Broken Line is the finale to Ann Gimple's wonderful Cataclysm Series. What a fantastic ending! Filled to the brim with magic and mayhem, this book keeps you on the edge of your seat from beginning to end. The characters are so vivid, they are like old friends you know everything about. If action, adventure, mischief, destruction and major missions are up your alley, don't miss this final installment in this amazing series!

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s the end of the line for Nick, Ariana, and Conan as the Cataclysm series draws to a close. This first series by Ann Gimpel where’s she’s chosen vampires as the good guys has been excellent. Although, I will say, she only chose a few vampires as good guys, some had questionable morals at best, and the rest, well, let’s just say, I wouldn’t want them to hang out in my neck of the woods (sorry, I couldn’t help it!).

There was quite the menagerie of supernatural beings who gathered together in this series, set in a world where the magic users had been outed to the human population, and the humans in charge and a few others just didn’t like their position in the pecking order any more. As we saw in books past, somehow, humans managed to corrupt some witches and mages to their side and were trying to get rid of all the other magic users. Despite apocalyptic warnings. Nick, Ariana, Conan and the gang have decided not to heed those warnings and are trying to over throw the humans in charge and to rid the world of the cabal of evil magic users. This book starts where the third leaves off. The gang has headed to San Francisco to take out an installation of human supernatural detectives and a new group of magic users “joins” them. This one battle sets up the rest of the book and helps determine all major decisions the group makes from there.

One of the things I’ve liked best about this series is how well each character is always backed up by another person. No one “has” to do anything alone. Some choose to, but it’s not for lack of offers to help.

One of my favorite characters, Conan, has a lot of growth in this 4th and final book, but much of it happens away from the action. While I realize it was a necessity as he is not the main character, I would love to see a Guardian series with Conan as the main character where we would have the opportunity to see the backstory of what happened to him during the times he did not spend with Ariana and Nick in these books. I have a feeling it would be tremendously interesting. His mother’s story as well. Even a story involving Ruby’s early life might well fill a whole series, as the woman was certainly interesting in this last book.

[TinaMarie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the last book in the Cataclysm series. The big fight with the immortals fighting back against the humans. Alliances strengthened, traitors revealed, blazing battles and happily ever afters realized.

I loved learning even more about Conan and the other unique characters, as well as watching the deepening relationship between Ariana Hawke and Nick Giovanni.

In this final book the immortals and magic users of the world are tired of being hunted and abused by humans. They've formed an alliance and are taking the war to them. Making a statement once and for all that if humans continue to hunt and persecute them, they will eliminate them.

While I liked the idea of the varying factions coming together to fight back it started to feel uncomfortable. The story started to get preachy about how humans are a blight on the world and should be eliminated and I got even more uncomfortable as the killings changed from from specific targets to kill everyone.

I wished there had been some indication that there had been human negotiations to future treatment of each other. The assumption that the humans would get the right message after their attacks and respond the right way seemed naïve.

I still loved the series and enjoyed the ending. Thank you Ann Gimpel.

I received a free copy of this book and I'm voluntarily leaving a review. If you like my reviews I hope you will follow my blog. https://wyldheartreads.wordpress.com/

[Leslie Sanchez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ariana and Nic, both vampires, have resolved all of their issues and are both proud to be together. Now they just have to survive and win the war between the humans and dark mages against the light mages, vampires, fae and all other paranormal beings. Conan is embroiled in this war, as well as part of the Guardians. Conan has a new relationship with the Guardians and is a staunch supporter of Ari and her band of fighting mages. Besides fae, witches, mages and Conan, they will try an alliance with kelpies and another vampire seethe. There is non-stop action, betrayal, and lasting friendships being made. Of course, all will not be that easy. Lives will be on the line and if they can't win against the humans, magic will die and so will the planet. This is the fourth and final book of this series and if you like unpredictable, non-stop action with all kinds of magic this is a series you will love! I requested a free advanced reader copy and am under no obligation to leave this review.

[Dina Bushrod · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, a non-stop thrilling end to an awesome series. The war between good and evil is really going all out, and there will be blood. We have those who have never even thought of being on the same side, even those rarely seen by either man, paranormal and magic beings. They're fighting to save themselves from greedy evil, to fight in some instances their own kind and humans all who have been fooled by their greed and fear, to destroy all magical beings. Among the blood and guts, we have small snatches of time for love; the most unusual for these beings are known for their cold, unloving, and certainly not their fidelity to one individual. Hope you've read the series to see how both the war and loving started; how those involved had big problems that stopped them in their tracks, but in each book grew to better understand the evil they faced, and learned together how to accept their weaknesses and strengths.

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

(4.5) Sadly, if I am not mistaken, this is the conclusion to the Cataclysm series but I think if she wants to pick it up again, she can. After all don't we want to know how the world is fairing and all our secondary characters? I do! Our group strikes hard and fast to stop the continuation of humans destroying all with magic. There is something for everyone in this book. This covers all aspects of human and non human with hate - love, war - joy, defeat - hope all told in a rousing adventure. We also gather more about Conner our guardian and we see the lengths everyone will go for each other. The grandest of HEA is this rag tag group of individuals become family. I love this series and would love to see more. Thank you for the arc! I voluntarily share my thoughts and opinions.

[Denise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Things that change that is what you get alot out of this one. Having read the proceeding ones did not want to miss this one. You will see who is in charge with it not being the mortals. Times have changed also we do hover around Nick and Ariana. This series is one that captures us rightly and each one it weaves us with its magic as this one did. This is also the last of the magic in this one so it was bittersweet. Being they are glad to be together those two we like it too. We also want the war to finish too with survivors. So this does get a finish we turn the pages to see how it unravels with loving every word we read.

[Angela]

Broken Line is book 4 in the Cataclysm Series and it concludes with as much drama and intrigue as the series started. In an unique twist, Vampires are the heroes with alliances borne as much of necessity as of friendship. The inclusion of fae, witches, kelpies and guardians make for strange participants in a tension filled overshadowing doom. Will the alliance hold together long enough to triumph over the evil that seeks to destroy life? Will the secrets held so closely be revealed? Will the terse allegiance survive the betrayals and blindsides?

[Suez · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series was absolutely fantastic .. Each book takes you further along this incredibly well written and well developed storyline. You’ll find this fast paced journey is filled with multiple complex strong characters; paranormals and magic; mystery, suspense and sooo much action. While all this is unraveling, there is the chemistry and passion between Nick and Ariana - don’t miss any of it!! I guarantee it kept me glued to the pages and wanting more. This is a voluntary review of an advanced copy.

[Jason · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall - I liked this dark series

Overall I liked this dark series, but mortals really get a bad rap in this story. Mortals are like the boogeyman and slaughtering and eating them was no big deal.

That being said the magical races really work together and discovering love and understanding between them, but mortals have no place in the world being created.

The hero and heroine truly love each other and the vampire story is very interesting

[Crystal · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have loved this series since the start and the final book didn't disappoint! It's time to get ready for the final battles so Ariana, Nick and friends have their hands full. I really loved watching all the different factions of Mages come together and find common ground through out this series. Watching (reading) them get prepared and set off for the final fights was so good. Conan stole my heart from the start, and I would love to see more of him and the guardians one day.

[Mary Spencer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing!

I started this series not knowing if it would be any good. I was hooked after the first chapter and couldn't put it down until I was done! Brilliant writing that includes edge of your seat excitement, breath catching moments, and gooey lovey bits! The ending keeps you on your toes with worry, excitement, trepidation, and glee! Truly astounding! I cannot wait to read other books by this author!

[Kay Mack · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an ending!

I was excited to read the conclusion to the Cataclysm series and found myself saddened that it's over. Broken Line was a rollicking read with everything found in previous books. The romance spread and the bad guys dealt with. This will last a long time in my memory of such wonderful penship!

[Twistted · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bored. Little spoilers.

Everything was just too easily done. No major hurdles to jump. Everyone had all the right powers at all times and one even knew how to difuse a bomb out of nowhere. There was no major obstacle. Just small inconveniences. A really boring end.

[Pamela Schalk · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book kept me on the edge of my seat wanting to find out what happens next. Great final book to this series. Plenty of action, twists and turns. Some sexy scenes. Looking forward to reading something else by this author.

[LaDonna Hatcliff · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good Story

Overall the story is good but I didn't !ike the parts where Gods name was taken in vain.
I don't think a story needs that in it to make it good

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really wish that this book series could continue because there’s so many things that they could’ve done. I’m just sad and that it’s ended so fast.