Omega - a shadowy organization that is synonomous with power in the metahuman world. They have hunted Sienna Nealon since the day she first left her house, killed countless Directorate agents and operatives, and now they unveil their greatest plot - Operation Stanchion, a phrase whispered to Sienna by an Omega operative almost too scared to speak the words aloud. Now Sienna must track the pieces Omega has in motion, journeying across the upper midwest to confront the forces that have plagued her since she first stepped into the metahuman world before they can land their final stroke - and bring an end to the Directorate forever.
Robert J. Crane was born and raised on Florida's Space Coast before moving to the upper midwest in search of cooler climates and more palatable beer. He graduated from the University of Central Florida with a degree in English Creative Writing. He worked for a year as a substitute teacher and worked in the financial services field for seven years while writing in his spare time.
Well I didn't expect that. I can't say much else without spoiling it for anyone! However this book of the series is full of twists, turns, surprises...and sadness. I will take the author at his word that the unexpected major event near the end of the book was a necessity and part of the bigger picture. Really looking forward to seeing where Mr Crane next takes this tale; he sure knows how to hook his readers in.
I am going to start my review with the last chapter or ending of this book. Plot-wise it is by far one of the best endings I have ever had the pleasure to read.
Now those that know me and my reviews, well they are aware that I can be quite critical, but I am in my heart of hearts a plot-led reader and a good one will always win me over.
Crane has written an ending, which could be The End to the series. It is the quintessence and core of Sienna.Her mind, her heart and her soul. If you have been following this series, as I have, then you will close this book with one of the following: a feeling of anger worthy of the Gods themselves or with a tear in your eye and a deep ache your heart. If you are new to the series this one can be read as a stand-alone novel, but I would suggest starting with [[ASIN:B007T9GY46 Alone: The Girl in the Box, Book 1]] to be able to understand Sienna completely. Luckily for myself and others this book is only the midway mark and there are more to come. Although the author has created an almost catalytic event in the book and one that will most certainly divide the emotions of his readers, it is also the way forward. It opens the road to something, which has been a long time coming. I have taken great care not to reveal any details at all, so this review may seem to lack any info, but I wouldn’t want to spoil this brilliant read for anyone. I received a free copy of this book for my review.
What in the actual hell just happened?? Alright buddy. I've stuck with you for this long, so I'll trust you enough to keep reading, but I am not a very happy reader right now... Seriously though; this is a great series & I'm really enjoying the story. It's not my usual genre & something I just stumbled on but I guess that just goes to show what happens when I "step outside the box".
This is book five of ten and so far is the most emotional. I actually cried it was like a living nightmare the helplessness I felt not able to help her. Can't give much away because I don't want to spoil it. In terms if the emotions you will feel.. Love romance fear hate betrayal shock and grief followed by revenge.
(I feel revenge anyway, I need a Dr Who Tardis to transport to her world to help her.. Oops I think I've left reality)
I have just started the next one that is only 154 pages.. Hope he's writing quickly I know the others are long books, so the pricing remains the same through and will average out the same per page.. Just thought I'd let you all know that. http://robertjcrane.blogspot.co.uk/
AHHHHHH!!!! WHY?!?!?!!?! But this was an excellent book! I just wished sienna could do what was needed before so old man winter wouldn't have made her do the other thing later!!! Ughhh sadness but i can't wait for book six!
Mr Crane....WHAT. THE. ACTUAL. HELL did you do. I am an emotional wreck! You better make things better. Please keep this series of books as gripping as they have been up til now. So not my usual genre of book but I'm so happy for my kindle, it has introduced me to this wonderful story........
That the author just did that at the end....he apologized, and says to have hope, but damn.
I was already annoyed at the character a bit for staying around despite the ending to the last book - she forgives easier than me apparently - but man if she still stays dedicated to this organization and group, respect dwindling further for the character, who I have never cared much for anyway. The books are enjoyable soap operas but not the main character, and now yech.
Ending ranting aside, and yes the main reason for 2 stars, most of this book was unpleasant development. Sad for another main friend who certainly would have fought for her, glad Clary has at least come around, always hated Eve anyway, disappointed in Parks and Bastion, gutted on Zack, think it's obvious something big with the "boy", two more generic type villains, too much pressure to turn her small good sides toward torture and endless killing machines, still most questions remaining unanswered. I will read the next and hopefully the author picks it up again as promised and makes its more worth it. These are like candy that's hard to stop eating
I was already in too deep. In the table of content, I read, 'An Apology for the Agony I Just Caused You, The Reader'. The first thought I had was, what the hell? What kind of chapter name is that? Normally I don't bother with the table of contents and just jump straight to Chapter 1. By the time I got to that part of the novel... well that is another story. I so badly wanted to throw this book at you, the author. YES, I mean you Robert.
How could you kill off the one character I really liked? Of all the characters in the book, I felt it was Zack that I felt was not an idiot, well besides him, Sienna's brother, Reed as well. What really got to me of this book is how Sienna was really alienated. Sienna lost by finding out Katrina was actually working with Omega. Then she loses Reed before the battle since he was called back home to help them with their battle, which is also against Omega. Next she loses, Scott Byerly, since he is useless without his powers. Then she was forced to kill Zack Davis, the one person she's in a relationship with. That is already pretty much everyone within the group of friends Sienna trusted. On top of that, by the fifth book, Omega, Sienna already has 2 voices in her head. By the end of this book, she now has four voices. I could not blame her for returning to the box. I still feel that sense of a completed end for Zack, why can’t his death be more like Albus Dumbledore? With Zack’s death occurring in the middle of the book, not at the end of the book, instead of a cliff hanger with Sienna returning to the box?
I will definitely continue this series. I'm curious to find out what comes next, most importantly the voices. Does Sienna continue to subdue the voices in her head? How the voices in Sienna’s head play out? Does she leave the directorate and go rogue? Will Sienna team up with her Mom and Charlie? There are some crucial questions I’d like answers to, and it seems like I will have to read the next book in the series to find out.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
OMG! OMG! OMG! What a fantastic ending! I mean, it was devastating, but it was fantastic in its devastation. *PARTIAL SPOILER* I can't express how much I respect an author who can kill off a much beloved character. So many authors won't do it. And while I don't know the author's end game here, I do trust that it is all for a greater purpose. He was even good enough to offer an apology for it at the end of the book. I love that! I am totally hooked on this series. This was the fifth in a ten book series and I'm in it for the long haul. I will read it until the bitter end. Totally addicted! To anyone who is considering the series, the first three books are being offered as a set for FREE on Amazon right now.
Omega launches a new operation to take down the Directorate. Personally, I don't see the point behind taking down the Directorate since they are not the direct enemy. Efforts to work together is more plausible so it was frustrating. I absolutely hated the ending. Old man winter is messed up! Not looking forward to the next book. Freaking depressing!
Since I took an extremely long break in between books, I had to read the synopsis to remember which book I was on. With that being said, I read the synopsis of book 6 which gave me a huge spoiler for book 5. However, I did not expect it to play out that way, which is why it broke me (I see why the next book is called Broken)😔 I am so livid, I think it was completely unnecessary.
I was NOT expecting those twists. Robert does a good job with keeping you engaged (I would hope so since there’s 58 total books in the series). I can’t even imagine what’s going to happen next. I feel lost just like Sienna.
Old Man Winter… count your days…. LITERALLY. I WANT THAT OLD MAN DEAD as well as EVERYONE on his side. He let his fear get to him and made him loose his cool…how pathetic and embarrassing.
The ending of the book split me in half and left me sobbing because I can relate to Sienna. I’ve felt so broken that it left me so numb and a shell of myself. You can only be strong for so long. Sometimes the strongest person in the room is the one that needs the most help..
This is the book that sold me on the series. Up to this point, I was reading the stories and found them somewhat enjoyable but I wasn't 100% committed. Between the big event of Omega and Crane's Author's Note at the end of the story I am now completely invested.
I definitely don't want to say too much, but if you've read The Dresden Files this book reminds me of Changes in that there is a big, somewhat unexpected, character-changing event which will affect the rest of the series. And Crane's note at the end apologizing but explaining we would understand why over the next few books sealed the deal.
Just, seriously...if you like The Dresden Files or Seanan McGuire's October Daye series you should really give Sienna Nealon a chance.
Totally unexpected. The story has more twists and turns than a pan of spaghetti. Sienna has been through the type of hell no human (meta or otherwise) should ever have to go through. All those she trusted now seem to be her enemies, and her enemies seem to be her salvation, or are they?????????? Normally by the time you get halfway through a series like this, you can start to second guess where the author is taking it. Not this time. I'm in the dark as much as I was at the end of book one. I'm not complaining though, just totally hooked and can hardly wait the minute it will take to download book six.
Despite the title this book really isn't so much about Omega the meta-human organization that has been attacking the Directorate as it is about the Directorate. In this book we discover Dr. Zoeller's last words to Sienna were true, "don't trust anyone." While battling Omega bad guys Sienna discovers the truth in his words as she discovers the new life she'd been building is all built on lies. In the end what Eric Winters head of the Directorate forces her to do is almost unspeakable and nearly destroys her. Lots of action a little romance and a shocking conclusion to the first half of this ten book series.
I need to say this first - I'm not sure I want to read the next book. I hate what I'm feeling about all this right now. However, as a read, this book was amazing! The characters continued to amaze and relationships developed in ways I never imagined. Omega definitely deserves five stars for its creativity, ability to engage the reader and plot twists. Sianna is growing, the Directorate is under attack and Old Man Winter is a force to be reckoned with. Robert Crane is twisted, if that I am sure. I've bought Book Six of the series, though right niw, I'm not sure I'll ever read it.
Twists, turns, the movie of these first few books read like a great movie. And i find myself mostly out front of all of them. Seeing exactly where the charters story line is headed. It gets old, and I get bored. But THIS ending was a great Merlot in my mouth. Deep, fullbodied, with a smoothness going down and a tart kick! Thank you for allowing me some time off from my world.
Just when the suspense and drama has been ratcheted up beyond measure, and you start to believe nothing worse could happen, Robert J Crane goes where many other writers fear to tread, delving deeply into the darkest recesses of human depravity, and even showing a fearlessness to eliminate highly developed central characters to advance the storyline. I like this man's style and eagerly await further releases.
I have given the first five books in this series five stars as I have loved them all but this one number five has made me so angry I’m not sure I want to finish the Series. I have become so invested in the characters that this book devastated me. I will see if I recover and am able to finish after all it is the sign of a good Author who can make you feel all the feels but dang.
What in the ...world... What?! I've put so much trust in this author so I'm just going to take his word for it and see if it's for the greater good. However, this hurt! I was not expecting to get all teary-eyed with this series but here we are.
It's been a while since I've read the first four books in this, 10 part series, but it felt like meeting up with old friends - until...
I won't spoil! It's fast paced, clever, I really enjoy the witty comebacks and jokes,... On to number 6!
We really see Dianna pushed down a path that's really dark. I think Robert, the author, showed us what goes through Sienna's mind and body as she embarks on this dark journey, in a way that not many people can. I look forward to reading the remaining books and taking the journey with Sienna.
This is such a delightful series of compelling characters. I started out with a box of 3 and had to have more. V book actually invoke such an emotional response from me it was unexpected. I must admit that I have no words to express the commentary on which author put at the end of the book. Definitely unique approach and I loved every minute of it.
Very engaging as were the previous books. I was not surprised or disappointed by the event that happened toward the end of the book. It made sense to me and I can imagine why the author chooses to make that happen. We will find out in the next books but I bet the event that happened will be helpful in the end.
I like Sienna, her sass, her powers and all her angst. And she has an interesting supporting cast, both goodies and baddies. The end of this book takes a disconcerting turn, but at least Mr Crane talks about it in his notes and apologises, saying it is necessary to go on to the end. Five books down, probably rejoin to get on with the remaining five.
So, yea, I have to say the end made me pissed, but as all writers in the past, I know there is a reason for such an ending, and I will keep reading until I discover the reason behind what is happening to Sienna. This is an awesome series, one for the ages!
I have finished seven books and part of book eight. I’m stopping here for a break and plan to pick up later. These books are really good and I love Sienna’s witty remarks. I didn’t realize how long this series was when I started. Serious kudos to the author for remaining consistent through the series to this point.
Omega is hunting Sienna and they don't seem to care who they kill to get her. NOw Sienna must turn from the hunted to the hunter and help stop OMega before they strike and bring the Directorate to their knees. This book in the series through me for a loop. I am stunned. This part was sooooo emotional. Sienna that poor kid. WTF!!!!!
As always you outdo yourself! My heart broke with Sienna in this book. I cried. I can't wait to read the next book in the series. U catch the real life problems along with the meta problems, the emotions, thoughts and feelings of life. Not feeling like u fit in, always searching for unconditional acceptance and love... I love these books. I can't stop reading them!