*I received a free copy of Justice Ascending from via Netgalley. This has in no way influenced my voluntary review, which is honest and unbiased *
Warning: This book includes mature content such as: sexual content, and/or drug and/or alcohol use, and/or violence.
Justice Ascending Series: The Scorpius Syndrome #3 on 31 January 2017
Pages: 400
Before surviving the Scorpius bacterium, Tace Justice was a good ole Texas cowboy who served his country and loved his mama. After Scorpius, the world became dark, dangerous, and deadly... and so did he. The Vanguard medic is stronger, faster, and smarter than before, but he's lost the line between right and wrong. His passion is absolute, and when he focuses it on one woman, there's no turning back for either of them.
Sami Steel has been fighting to survive right alongside Tace, convincing the Vanguard soldiers she's one of them. In truth, Sami is a former hacker turned government agent who worked at The Bunker, where scientists stored both contaminants and cures. Only she knows the location, and she's not telling. Yet when sexual fire explodes between her and Tace, she'll face even that hell again to save him.
Justice Ascending is extremely tense, there are traitors in the midst of our heroes, and there is love, betrayal, hope and so much action it’s impossible to sit still while reading!
The Scorpius Syndrome is one of my favorite dystopian series – it is really realistic in many ways, and even more so in Justice Ascending. There is a lot of tension, as different factions continue to fight, all the while trying to see if there is any cooperation possible. The president and his elite guard are lurking in the dark, at the outskirts, partly out of reach, but still able to meddle where they aren’t wanted. Of course, some suspension of disbelief is needed, but the fact that there is love and hope actually makes it more realistic to me – not less. I think we are hardwired for hope, and so, seeing Jax, Raze, Tace and the others keep moving forward, protecting the people they love, and ultimately, seeing the light somewhere sends a really strong message.
Sami is one of the stronger female characters I’ve had the pleasure to get to know lately. Present and important in the prior installments, in Justice Ascending, she takes on a leading role, next to Tace. And their dance is filled with equal parts romance and violence. Both want the power, and neither wants to admit to anything. However, even with Sami’s excellent fighting skills, Tace just might be stronger than her.
The overall plot of the series moves forward very nicely in Justice Ascending, and some loose ends are tied up, while others seem to keep unraveling. I really enjoyed that both Lynne and Vinnie are present and have important roles in the storyline, especially as the next novel has been neatly set up. (Please tell me there is a next novel being written?!?) The pace is extremely fast, and I have to admit that my heart-rate is still way up there, while I am thinking of possibilities and directions for these vanguards who need to build something strong to keep humanity going.
Written in third person point of view, focusing mostly on Sami and Tace, and in past tense, the action was really never-ending here. The way the story unfolded kept me in suspense, and I loved that even with some devastating moments, the characters were able to both grieve and stay strong all at the same time. Leaning on each other, and being strong for each other – again, a message of hope and strength that is important in a series that could easily become very bleak.
Tace sat back to watch crumbling buildings and deserted alleyways rush by. Nature had quickly begun to reclaim the earth, poking through concrete and climbing up brick. What was once a perfectly gray and concrete area was rapidly turning green again. Seemed like the earth always won the battle, didn’t it?
Justice Ascending has a break-neck pace, lots of action, some hope and a good dash of romance Share on XReading this book contributed to these challenges:
About Linda @ (un)Conventional Bookworms
Linda is an English as foreign language teacher and has a Master's degree in English Language and Literature. She's an avid reader, blogger, compulsive one-clicker and a genre omnivore. Ever since she learnt how to read she has been seen with a book or two in her hands everywhere she goes.
Twitter: bmreviewsohmy
I still need to try this author, this sounds really good. 🙂
She’s awesome, Stormi 🙂
Twitter: lattenightsbook
It was just last year I discovered this author and I fell for her writing and her characters!! I read Deadly Silence and loved it. I want to get my hands on the Sin Brothers series since Blood Brothers series is a spin off from it and it was a fantastic read! I’ll have to check this one out for sure!
Sin Brothers is an awesome series, Gen! I read book three first, and then went back to read the rest… I think this series should be read in order, though, even with the prequel first, as it explains a lot about the scorpius syndrome, what happened, and how things kind of fell apart in society.
I feel like it’s been ages since I read a dystopian book but I really like the sound of this series. Must look into the first one!
There’s a prequel you should try out first, Stephanie, and if you like that, I think it’s safe to say you’ll enjoy the rest, too 😉
I haven’t read this series but I do love her Sin Brothers series so much!
Nereyda│ Nick & Nereyda’s Infinite Booklist
I love her Sin Brothers series too, Nereyda! This one is just as dark, and while there are no actual brothers, there are brothers in arms – who will do what they can to keep each other safe.
I have never read anything in the dystopian genre before, but this sounds like something I would go for.
This is actually something that has a somewhat realistic fell to it, Nadene! Because it seems possible that a bacteria or a virus could wipe out most of humanity, and that with technology down, things would be really difficult. Survival at is finest, with some romance and hope added in so the stories aren’t too bleak 😉
Twitter: Mlsimmons
I keep wanting to try this series. I’ve been holding off to see if someone would pick up on audio. I think I’m just going to have to tackle it as ebooks for Rabid Reads. Another dystopian series I will try (my favorite ever) is Kit Rocha’s Beyond series. That series just wrapped up.
I think this would be truly amazing in audio, Melanie! There is a lot going on, and some of it is really realistic, even if it is a dystopia. And with the right narrator, it would be creepily delicious, I’m sure 🙂
I need to check out Beyond, too, thanks for the tip!
Recently finished it for review so now I wanted to see what you thought. Yay, glad to see you loved all their action and passion, too. Can’t wait for the next one to release.
I agree, I’m already impatient for more Mercury, Sophia 🙂
This is a series I intend to start this year, Lexxie. It really sounds pretty incredible. And I like that it’s so realistic and Zanetti ties up some plot threads while letting others go to keep things interesting. 🙂 I’m happy you’re continuing to enjoy the series.
**BIG HUGS & LOVE**