ARC Review: Shadow Falling (The Scorpius Syndrome, #2) by Rebecca Zanetti

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Review

4 Action-packed, Romantic, Intense, Badass Stars

This is the second full-length novel in the Scorpius Syndrome series, and like the first it’s one hell of a ride! This book picks up pretty much straight after the end of Mercury Striking, and I would definitely recommend reading these books in order so that you understand the world, the characters who inhabit it and the intricate politics and dynamics at play.

I love Rebecca Zanetti’s writing and she has created a detailed, slightly terrifying post-apocalyptic world where 99% of the population of the US has been killed off by the Scorpius virus. Life on earth now is made up of the few that have remained uninfected and those who have been infected and survived. However those survivors are left with permanent damage – ranging from mild behavioural and physical alterations to sociopathic behaviour to the full-on crazed zombie-ism of the Rippers from which there is no return. It’s a scary world, and in the last book we met Jax Mercury who has set up and leads the Vanguard compound in the middle of what used to be LA for survivors to band together to survive. They hunt and scavenge for supplies, and Jax’s partner, brilliant scientist Lynne Harmony, works towards finding a cure for the virus, or at least a way to survive once infected.

Raze Shadow is one of Jax’s lieutenants. He is highly trained and absolutely deadly, but the man is a mystery. He has secrets he has no intention of sharing and keeps to himself most of the time. In the exciting climax of Mercury Striking Raze was involved in the dramatic rescue of renowned FBI profiler Dr Vivienne ‘Vinnie’ Wellington. Now safely back at the Vanguard compound, things are about to get all kinds of complicated for them all.

During her captivity, Vinnie was tortured and injected with experimental drugs. Her ability to understand and interpret behaviour has gone from skilled to partially psychic, and she is terrified that she is starting to go crazy. But she finds comfort in the presence of the enigmatic soldier who saved her. Raze is equally as attracted to Vinnie, but he is on a secret mission and he can’t let himself get too close to anybody.

It’s a great dynamic between the unexpected couple. Vinnie is a bit quirky and part of her post-Scorpius/drug side effects is the fact that she blurts out pretty much every thought that comes into her head. It’s funny and endearing, and her candour and obvious affection for him softens the hardass Raze who realizes that he can’t resist her any more than she can resist him.

“You feel it too, right?” As impossible as the world had become, this feeling between them, whatever it was, felt good. There was actually something good. She began to lean back, but he stopped her with both hands on her hips…
“I feel it. Us.” His hold tightened with definite strength. “I’m not the good guy who’ll tell you to go once we get started, Vinnie. You give me one taste of you, and I won’t let you leave until I’m done. Until I have all of you. I’m not that strong.”
“You’re strong.”…
“Not strong enough to let you go.”

I really like this couple together. Their coming together is hot and intense with great banter and all of the outbursts and arguments inherent when you get a strong heroine who goes after what she wants, and a super-possessive badass. The super-passionate sexy time brings intensity to everything that is developing between them, and their bickering adds a sense of fun and lightness, and there’s an emotional connection between them which is really sweet.

“You can’t heal me.”
“I can,” she said. “I don’t know how, and you’re a threat to my heart, but I can heal you. I can make you feel better.”

All of this unfolds amidst the drama and danger of life for our survivors. The ever-present risk of the virus and the mad race to find a cure, threats from the gangs and Rippers that inhabit their surrounds, a new threat developing right inside the walls of the compound and the sociopathic President wants both Lynne and Vinnie back and will do anything to get them. Add to that Raze’s secret mission and the danger that that brings to the group. It’s a rollercoaster of death, danger and deception, and the action is full on.

It’s a fallacy to believe that man is at his most dangerous when he has nothing to lose…the most ferocious of predators emerge when a man has everything to lose.

And through it all the characters and their unique personalities absolutely shine! From the ruthless badassery of Jax and Raze (and newly introduced Greyson), the flirtatious and filterless Tace and the intelligent, smartass women, I really enjoyed them. I loved the camaraderie between them and the dynamics between the group is fantastic. And in the dark and dangerous world they inhabit, the developing friendships and moments of lightness are a real highlight.

“Girlfriend? You need to get yourself a gag.” Lynne Harmony murmured from her perch on the love seat.
Vinnie faltered and then continued in to flop into her leather chair. “I screamed his name. He said I was going to scream his name, and I actually did it.” She shook her head.

It all blends wonderfully to give us a well-balanced read that is exciting, dramatic, suspenseful, romantic, sexy and action-packed. There’s a lot going on but it’s well paced so it doesn’t overwhelm, and it makes for a great read. The set-up is there for at least two more books, both of which I can’t wait to get my hands on!

I loved it – 4 stars.

Advanced Review Copy generously provided by publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

 

The Scorpius Syndrome series

scorpius-rising  Mercury Striking  Shadow Falling  justice-ascending  

    

Scorpius Rising (#0.5 Scorpius Syndrome/Brigade Novella) (Deke & Nora)
Review
Buy: Kindle Ebook  |  Paperback (available in the compilation On the Hunt)

Mercury Striking (#1) (Jax & Lynne)
Review
Buy:  Kindle Ebook  |  Paperback

Shadow Falling (#2) (Raze & Vinnie)
Review
Buy:  Kindle Ebook  |  Paperback

Justice Ascending (#3) (Tace & Sami)
Review
Buy:  Kindle Ebook Paperback

Storm Gathering (#4) (Greyson & Moe)
Review
Buy:  Kindle Ebook

Blaze Erupting (#4.5 Scorpius Syndrome/Brigade Novella) (Hugh & Eleanor)
Review
Buy:  Kindle Ebook Paperback

Winter Igniting (#5) (Damon & April)
Review
Buy:  Kindle Ebook

Knight Awakening (#6) (Marcus & Penny)
Review
Buy:  Kindle Ebook

Power Surging (Scorpius Syndrome/Brigade Novella)
To be released

Hunter Advancing (Scorpius Syndrome/Brigade Novella)
To be released

 

For more reads like this one, see our Action/Adventure Recommendations Page

And check out our Rebecca Zanetti Author Spotlight for more reads from this author

 

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