Who Knows the Moonlight (The Vigilante #3) by Tere Michaels

~Sigh~ FINALLY we got the 3rd installment and it was everything I wanted and hoped it would be! It was an INCREDIBLE heart stopping ride I didn't want to end. I read it literally in one sitting (finished at 5AM!) and I'm already waiting for more. More of Nox and Cade, more of Sam and Mason as well as TJ and Rachel with their own arc. 

If you haven't read the first two installments what are you doing here? unless it's to go look for the first one so you can delve into this gripping story. While I'm not usually a fan of either Dystopian or Sci-Fi novels this was simply DIVINE. When we left off in the previous installment the guys (and gals) were separated into 3 groups/couples not knowing how they'll be able to re-group and most importantly find the man behind it all. This is what this whole book is about. It starts in a high note and keeps it throughout the story. There's something going on every step of the way. I'll say it's more action than romance though our couples have quite a journey emotionally. I preferred it this way honestly. I don't think it would have been very "believable" otherwise considering what they went through (the danger, high stakes, injuries not to mentions no privacy ;)). Yet in the end all three came out tighter and more sure of what they have and what they expect their future to hold. 

The Lost Ship of the Tucker Rebellion by Marie Sexton & Cari Z.

I tried, I really did but I just couldn't continue on with this book. I'll admit I'm not a fan of Sci-Fi novels but I've read a few by Cari and LOVED them so it was a given I'm going to give this one a go. So I delved in hoping for something different and exciting and finding myself ANNOYED and mostly, truth being said - bored. I didn't connect or even like any of our 3 MCs, their constant banter was tiring and it led to almost nothing happening in the first quarter of the book. I think I actually got to the point things started to happen but I can't commit to it. I'm sorry. 

I won't say a lot about the plot firstly because VERY little actually happened besides Denver Clayborne (our sole POV up until 22% where I stopped) finding a "pod" coming from at least a century ago and in it a promise of something extraordinary. His sick twin brother Laramie is skeptical and moreover he doesn't want Denver to put his life at risk for his sake (hoping for a cure) and their third member - Marit - isn't able of doing anything but complaining. There's a lot of not really world building but references to the past and how everyone came to be living in space (and Earth becoming uninhabitable). I didn't care about any of it because it was all done in their usual banter which threw me off this book in the first place. 

Who Knows the Dark (The Vigilante #2) by Tere Michaels

Though this was a SUPERB book I was SO disappointed to realize the book ends with a cliffhanger and there in NO third book in sight (Correction!!! The 3rd book was FINALLY published in the beginning of 2021). I mean Tere has said the book is practically ready but for some reason it hasn't been published yet. So while I DEFINITELY recommend this book (and the previous one, keep in mind there are still a lot of unanswered questions and though Cade and Nox got closer together they still have a way to go before they can even call themselves a couple.

The previous book ended with Nox Boyet and his "son" Sam, together with Cade Creel, Mason Todd, Rachel Moon and Damian running away from New York City to Cade's family farm in South Carolina. It felt awkward at first but with Cade's mother cooking a storm (and helping Sam get back in shape), his father patrolling with his shotgun (even if he plays the unhappy disappointed parent) and his brother who somehow turned into a hacker they manage to regroup and try to piece everything together. I wouldn't say Nox warmed up to Rachel (Jenny) but he came to realize she has a lot of knowledge that can help them solve the mystery of what's REALLY going on.

Who Knows the Storm (The Vigilante #1) by Tere Michaels

This (!) was a WONDERFUL surprise! It just shows when you adore an author venturing out to your less read genres is more than a good idea. I can't believe I read Tere's "Faith, Love and Devotion" series almost 6 years ago! It was superb! But as I'm still careful about reading Sci-Fi it took me long enough to actually grab it and start reading. While I usually find it difficult to connect with a futuristic dystopian world, Tere managed to make this cold rainy and frankly terrifying New York City too intriguing to put aside. Our two MCs couldn't be more different in the way they conduct their lives but inside they are both caring and loyal so when they realize they have something to figure out working together felt right.

Nox Boyet life consists of secrets and lies and not only because he chooses to wear black every night to protect the lives of the less fortunate citizens of New York City. There are thugs, gang member as well as drug dealers selling "Dead Bolt" the newest designer drug. That's why he stayed when he could have found a way to leave this decrepit part of the city. His other focus in life, the one that keeps him going, is his son Sam. He isn't really his son but it doesn't matter and he would rather not think about that day when so many died and he and Sam lived.

When a "model" from the Iron Butterfly Casino appears at their door offering Sam a letter concerning his "real" parents, Nox is LIVID. While he knows the truth, or enough of it, he doesn't want Sam to be a part of any of it. He would rather keep Sam in the dark about the powerful people who played a part in their need to keep quiet and away. It's better everyone thinking Nox Boyet has died that day and Sam doesn't even exist. But it seems someone found out after all.

Mutable by Cari Z.

WHY and HOW did I wait this long to read this wonderful story? It's the usual, I'm not a fan of Sci-Fi and yet AGAIN I find myself immersed in Cari's characters and story, unable to put the book aside. So there are "aliens" and "mutants" and different galaxies in the unknown future, so what? Everything else about the story of Rone and Cas was simply AMAZING. Well, not to them, most of the time or at least not till the very end. I'm not sure what I think of the ending. It WAS good and yet I'll admit I was surprised, wondering how things will work out. Hoping Cari re-visits these two that's for sure. And as usual not understanding why this is a free read on Cari's blog when she DEFINITELY should be paid for her wonderful work.

Cas Farling has grown up in the planet of Leelinge, but his nation - the Delacoeur - have been fugitives in this planet ever since they arrived from their own uninhabitable planet. Hiding in caves they assimilated as best as they could, some of them, the strongest ones, being able to accept into their body a sort of bacteria they call "Phage" enhancing their physical abilities (and making them excellent trained assassins). Yet his kind was betrayed - by someone of their own and now there are so few of them left.. and only one other who like him contains a Phage inside him - Christala. Cas deduced she must be the one to play a huge part of the betrayal who cost him his little brother Beren as well.

Evergreen by Cari Z.

WOW. I can't really tell you what I expected this novella to be like because I don't even know myself.. I haven't even read the synopsis until AFTER I finished it so I didn't even know what it's going to be about so everything was a surprise as I was reading it. I'm not a fan of Sci-Fi but I AM a fan of Cari so I HAD to give it a go even if I was skeptical about it - silly me..

Lieutenant Commander Cyril Konstantin, our sole POV, is a Russian soldier on a special training in the Evergreen project with a few selected officers from all over the world. The mission is a one way ticket (not to the moon, stop humming for a second) to Mars. Though he is extremely passionate about the program he isn't a very friendly guy so the only person he connects with is the one guy who started talking to him first - Captain Scott Andrews. It doesn't take him more than two sentences to introduce himself as Scottie and nickname Cyril - Cy. From there a tight friendship forms which soon blossoms into a relationship even if a rather secret one considering they are not allowed to have a relationship between the group.

Reformation (Bonded, #6) [Cody & Ten] by Cari Z.

Outstanding. This book closed most of the major threads of the Bonded Universe and though I'm happy with the way things have ended I'm still somewhat sad. I think I took one of the MCs moods to heart which only shows how attached I got to this story/world. Like the previous ones, this is not a romance novel though there are romantic threads - Cody and Ten as well as Garrett and Jonah who even when they are apart are somehow together.

Raymond Alexander the Governor of the Federation have had enough. He is ready for his last steps to stop the silent rebellion mostly done by Garrett and his close family against him. First step - Annihilation of Pandora (especially when Jonah is there for his usual errands) with his fleet of "pirate" ships that have been reeking hell throughout the planets of Fringe. Second step reinstating Miles Caractacus (Garrett's father) as the head of the (smaller and inexperienced) force against these "pirates" (getting rid of him as well) and third but not really last is using Cadets from The Academy as soldiers in this attack making sure Cody and his friends would be assigned as well (yet, removing them from the equation as well). While he truly believes he COULD take Garrett out if he wanted to - taking out his family would have the effect he would enjoy more.

Redstone (Bonded, #5) [Robbie & Wyl] by Cari Z.

Cari - take my money! I simply CANNOT understand why this OUTSTANDING book isn't published for sale. Lucky us it's offered for free on Cari's blog.

I read this book yesterday and simply didn't want to put it down. The story flowed from one character to another, revealing more details about what's going on beneath the surface while bringing more mysteries back into the mix. I truly hope we'll get more answers (all the answers would be too much to ask, ha?) in the next installment(s).

As I've said about the previous this is NOT a romance novel, but there are elements of it in the story, this time of a formed couple we've already met in "Paradise". I strongly recommend you read and "The Academy" as the plot of Kyle Alexander continues right from the end of the last one and the other MCs are either from the previous installment or from "Paradise" - not only our "main couple" - Robbie and Wyl but also Isidore Cain who played a role in the rebellion against Garrett's father (back then the ruler of "Paradise"). Garrett took pity on the guy and moved him to another planet under the ward of Symone St. Clair (Also Ten's ward). Things changed for him, he has changed, but he has never forgotten Garrett so when he calls for help with Kyle in the maximum security prison of Redstone Isidore willingly comes to his aid.

The Academy (Bonded, #4) [Cody & Ten] by Cari Z.

While this is totally NOT my usual read I absolutely LOVED it. I also think, reading the previous books in this universe helped, as I'm not a Sci-Fi reader. I'm categorizing this book as (Sci-Fi) Romance though it's not really. The romance part takes a very small place in the whole journey 4 teenagers are dealing with on their own but mostly together as fresh students in The Academy. Each coming for a different reason. It was interesting getting so many POVs in one story. It's not something I'm used to either but it sure gave a different depth to the story.

If you've read any of the other books in this universe you'll find some familiar characters, mostly Cody Helms - the son of Jonah and Garrett (from Pandora and Paradise). We've seen him as a kid and now, a few years later as a 17 years old trying to make a life of his own. It won't be easy since he's a "Natural", being born without enhancements the current generations have developed having. He is much more fragile and prone to disease / injury and it's NOT something he should allow others to know about him.

Paradise (Bonded, #2) [Garrett & Jonah] by Cari Z.

While I enjoyed reading "Pandora" the beginning of Garrett and Jonah's love story, I simply ADORED this one. When we finished the first book though Garrett and Jonah WERE a formed couple, they still had many issues to deal with, mainly the ramifications of their past. Garrett's health issues and Jonah's ex and Cody's second father. I really liked that both of these were explored in this one. Also, unlike the previous one we got Jonah's POV as well as Cody's! I'm not usually a big fan of kids dominating the romantic space but Cody's POV was more than sweet and endearing it was actually crucial at certain points, giving us a truly different point of view of situations.

Please notice that if you haven't read the first one - you should! but you also must before you read this one. Too many things won't make any sense, the world building is also important I think to be able to be focused on the couple and not trying to figure out what's going on in the Sci-Fi world Cari wonderfully built for us.

Pandora (Bonded, #1) [Garrett & Jonah] by Cari Z.

I'm not a Sci-Fi reader, but I AM a Cari Z reader and so after discovering she has a few of those published on her blog (free reads!) I knew I had to give these a go and so I started with this and though I had NO CLUE what I was getting into, I'm SO glad I did. It was different, a lot of world building entwined in the story a character I feel like I could get to know even better, a sweet endearing romance story and a heart warming feeling that family is above all.

Since this one doesn't have any real plot besides Cari's admission it's a spin-off to a story previously published on Literotica called "Bonded", I'll try to explain it a  bit. Garrett Caractacus (our sole POV) is a climatologist. Though he moved from planet to planet his current station is on "Paradise", where his father is the governor. Technically he CAN stay with his father (Miles) and sweet stepmother Claudia yet he feels restless. When he receives an offer to work on "Pandora" for 3 years he accepts even if he doesn't find the place that appealing and especially the citizens who are on their way to this new populated planet. The people who seek home on Pandora are "Naturals", people who are like us today, not genetically modified like Garrett and the people around him. These are considered to be FAR more fragile and live far less than the average "regular" who are born "now" (in Garrett's times). But Naturals are still born sometimes for different reasons and since they are considered so easily harmed, and since there is difficulty for them to truly be part of society they would rather live on their own.

Changing Worlds (Worlds, #1-#2) (Bonded, #3) [Jason & Ferran] by Cari Z.

This was truly a fascinating read. I don't usually read Sci-Fi novels, romance or other. I'm not into the genre on TV as well but this is Cari.. So I knew I'm going to give this one a fair chance. It wasn't an easy read for me, A LOT of details, some confusing or just so very DIFFERENT. Cari built a whole WORLD solely for this novel which is AMAZING. The planet of Perel and especially the Perel people or rather - species - were highly complex yet interesting.

I think back when this was first published it had two parts, the first one being Jason and Ferran getting together, forming a friendship and little by little turning into lovers not sure what will happen the day Ferran would leave, and he would have to leave.. This was about 17% of the book. The second half, the more substantial, is Ferran and Jason managing a life together in Perel which is difficult on so many levels..

Love in Retrograde by Charlie Cochet

WOW! Simply OUTSTANDING! Near midnight I realized I can't sleep so decided to start reading this one. I was actually afraid to start.. I don't usually like Sci-Fi (novels, movies, etc) but as I'm going through Charlie's booklist I decided to give this one a go and I'm so glad I did! I couldn't and wouldn't put this one down until I finished. WOW. What an emotional ride. It was SO not what I was expecting, though I'm not even sure what I DID expect. 

I have very little I can say about this novel not to spoiler it. A word can destroy it for you and I really don't want to do that! We are in the future, New London to be precise. Kelly Sutton has been working on a special project called "Mars". Though he did a lot of work behind the scenes he actually doesn't know what this project IS or what it DOES or suppose to do. Yet he wants more, and as he decides to ask to be more involved he stumbles upon a conversation he shouldn't have heard making his wish come true - now he is SERIOUSLY involved in the project. 

Judgment by Mary Calmes

I'm not a big fan of Science Fiction, it's not the genre's fault - it's mine. I somehow lack the necessary imagination to understand what THE HELL is going on. Funny enough it works WONDERFULLY for me in any Fantasy world (NOT set in the future). Yet I've read one adorable story from "Time in Eternity" Anthology (Do Over by Amy Lane) and so when I saw the same cover on this one, I had to give it a go. 

First off, I'll say that I DID understand what the hell was going on, I thought that in this aspect the setting was well explained, surely for a 50 page novella. We got a little glimpse into Jeritt and Frost's relationship, how it started and how involved they are now, years later, also as working partners. The beginning of their relationship was a bit rushed, I didn't get why it has to be this way.. It was a little too OTT for me. 

Reclamation by Cari Z.

Great story! I'm usually not into either Dystopian world or Sci-Fi, I find I simply get confused and lost in the world building, but while I DID find some difficulties connecting to the world, the story was so well written and engaging I couldn't put it down. I was with tears of exhaustion in my eyes but I kept going. I loved that though both MC were "rough around the edges", they both had a very tender heart and it showed in how much they learned to care for one another. It's a brutal world out there, but inside Grayson's home they had their own ha(e)ven. 

Burn by Aleksandr Voinov

Wait, what was that?! I'm still puzzled about what I just finished.. I mean, I was never into Sci-Fi and maybe it's because these things are WAY to complicated for me. I"m not sure I understood what BURN means.. which, well, suppose to be important right?

There is very little I can say about the plot, reading the synopsis totally gets you the idea behind it all, you are just left with revealing the "big secret" the "motive" so to speak which was a good one. Though again I'm still confused about the whole thing. 

A Solid Core of Alpha by Amy Lane

This one had the "it's not you it's me" excuse smeared all over it! I was never a fan of Sci-Fi. I basically don't get it, and maybe I should have realized it earlier when I started skimming through words, phrases and general ideas I don't get and don't want to invest time in reading. Yet the first part of the story, told from Anderson's POV was very different than I'm used to reading, it WAS fascinating. But I wasn't invested enough somehow and when the story moved to C.J.'s POV and in a way besides the development of the plot most of what we got was a sort of re-play to Anderson's last 10 years I got bored up until I decided (at 58%) I'm simply not connecting to any character BUT Anderson and even he doesn't hold enough of my interest for the rest of the story.

Incursion by Aleksandr Voinov

Another excellent short novella. I gotta say, I was a bit worried about the fact this is Sci-Fi which I usually don't like or more accurately I usually don't GET. I"m not even sure why by all these cyber talk never made sense to me. Shape shifters, vampires, witches - no problem. Makes a whole lot of sense hehe 

Like the previous one, what drew me into this story wasn't the surrounding it was the tenderness of the characters and how the connection between them was building. The conclusion was beautiful, so so beautiful. I couldn't have asked for a better ending. Since I don't usually read Sci-Fi my imagination to who this one will end was somehow limited so I can't say I saw that one coming. 

Scorpion (Memory of Scorpions #1) by Aleksandr Voinov

Truth be told I didn't really know what I was getting into when I started this novel. I've read the synopsis and took it "as it is", without reading a lot of full reviews and taking to heart the classifications / genres of this series, though I'm not even sure if that's a valid point to why I didn't find myself engaged in the story. 

First off, this series is totally in the Fantasy world, fighting with sharp objects, riding horses and all the great staff I remember from reading Fantasy (mostly as a teenager.. back then it was ALL I ever read, though it was on the childish side when I think about it now). 

Collateral by Aleksandr Voinov (Vashtan) & Gileonnen

Generally I'm the most "distracted" and "self centered" person I know. I don't know anything about anything unless it's totally useless information. I don't read newspapers, I don't listen to the radio and I don't watch TV. My friends usually see that I know what's important.. 
It's the same with movies. My friends are expected to send me trailers to whatever it is they want us to watch together (or promise it's really good and I'll like it - they know me after all and it's not THAT important for me to know in advance what's the movie about). 
So when a friend suggested we watch the 3rd installment of Iron-man I told her I haven't even seen the first two.. (who was this Tony guy anyway?!). Her answer was - Then watch them! you have until the weekend - we're going! 
I actually got them the same day but totally forgot to watch them till the day we were suppose to go so I watched all three one after the other!!! The first two at home, then got ready and went to the theater with her to watch the third one. 
Conclusion - I LOVED IT! love Tony Stark, love the Iron-Man, love Robert Downey Jr as the Iron-Man, love Pepper and Gwyenth Paltrow as her. Yeah. It was totally AWESOME!  
So naturally, kinda worked for me trying this one out. Especially since it's Aleksandr Voinov and since this year I'm on a "mission" of reading most (maybe even all!) of his books.