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MetaWars #4
Chimera
384 pages, ebook
First published November 11, 2013
About the author
Kelly Meding
27 books698 followersAlso writes as Kelly Meade: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
May 21, 2022
Can it be that the writing has actually gone downhill over the four books? It feels like it. The swearing was a bit over the top and started to get a bit stupid and annoying after a while. I don't mind it now and then, for emphasis, drama...I get it's importance in language itself. But, the repetitive "f***" this & "f******" that constantly was so juvenile.
If you're reading this series, I've no idea how long it's going to go on, but rest assured you know nothing...still...at the end of this one. :/
If you're reading this series, I've no idea how long it's going to go on, but rest assured you know nothing...still...at the end of this one. :/
November 12, 2013
Posted at Yummy Men & Kick Ass Chicks
Chimera is the fourth book in Kelly Meding super cool Meta Wars series. This is a series that follows the adventures of a group of people who have super powers. Yes super powers. Like the X-Men.
Let me tell you, by the end of this book, I was exhausted.
Each book is told from a different person’s point of view and this time, it is Renee’s turn to share her story. Renee’s power is she is able to flex and stretch her body to amazing lengths. Well, she used to be able to do this. Thanks to an accident that left her burned on most of her body, she can’t stretch quite like she used to. Another feature that is strictly Renee is she’s blue. Literally the color blue. She has been that way since she was eight years old. So right now, Renee is dealing with her ‘since childhood’ issues as well as new issues such as the loss of most of her powers, the loss of a very close friend and, of course, her (and her friends’) life being threatened pretty much every day.
Renee’s childhood surprised me! What a mess that was. As Kelly said, she definitely wins the award for worst parents ever. Knowing more and more about her, her attitude and her brashness makes sense. And the more you know about her, the more you feel she deserves a happily ever after. I have always felt there was something vulnerable and special about Renee and it turns out I was right.
Every installment of this series is also a paranormal romance of sorts. There is a story of how two people come together but it’s not your usual romance tale. I was very surprised by whom Renee’s ‘mate’ ended up being but soon after finding out, it made sense. Renee needs someone who is older and who can see through her façade. Renee needed to be with someone who will help calm her worries and ease her vulnerabilities. Younger men aren’t always equipped to do that but his man is. He really works for her.
In the last book, Kelly introduced us to a few Banes – people with powers who fought on the side of evil in the war. We continue to meet and get to know some in this intallment. I like that she is doing this. It really makes readers re-think what they felt in the first couple of books when it comes to these supposed evil people. I especially like the Bane we see quite a bit of in this book…and to find out who I am talking about you will just have to read the book. ;)
Other than introducing us to Banes we met previously and watching Renee deal with her crazy life, we also meet a group of Metas. And the mystery of who the ultimate bad guy is is still addressed in this installment.
We get a lot of updates about heroes and heroines from past books. Let me warn you, not all of the updates are good. Kelly really doesn’t spare anyone in this series. Which brings me to the jaw dropping/shocking moments.
This would not be a Meta Wars book without a few insane jaw dropping revelations. There were plenty to chose from. Most, as usual, caught me off guard and made me freeze, shake my head and re-read the passage to make sure I read correctly the first time. And as usual, there was one in particular that left me more disbelieving than others. That is part of the fun of this series. These poor characters go through SO much! And just when you think nothing else could happen, bam! something else happens! Someone new comes out of the woodwork or someone dies or… No one is safe in these books. But what fun would it be if people were safe?! It would make one dull book and that is one thing this series and this book is not and that’s boring.
Overall, I really enjoyed Chimera. It is one crazy ride that really does keep you wanting more. Kelly is such an amazing storyteller. Her world continues to impress me and her characters continue to charm me. This is dark urban fantasy with an extra fantastical twist and fans of the genre really should check these books out.
Chimera is the fourth book in Kelly Meding super cool Meta Wars series. This is a series that follows the adventures of a group of people who have super powers. Yes super powers. Like the X-Men.
Let me tell you, by the end of this book, I was exhausted.
Each book is told from a different person’s point of view and this time, it is Renee’s turn to share her story. Renee’s power is she is able to flex and stretch her body to amazing lengths. Well, she used to be able to do this. Thanks to an accident that left her burned on most of her body, she can’t stretch quite like she used to. Another feature that is strictly Renee is she’s blue. Literally the color blue. She has been that way since she was eight years old. So right now, Renee is dealing with her ‘since childhood’ issues as well as new issues such as the loss of most of her powers, the loss of a very close friend and, of course, her (and her friends’) life being threatened pretty much every day.
Renee’s childhood surprised me! What a mess that was. As Kelly said, she definitely wins the award for worst parents ever. Knowing more and more about her, her attitude and her brashness makes sense. And the more you know about her, the more you feel she deserves a happily ever after. I have always felt there was something vulnerable and special about Renee and it turns out I was right.
Every installment of this series is also a paranormal romance of sorts. There is a story of how two people come together but it’s not your usual romance tale. I was very surprised by whom Renee’s ‘mate’ ended up being but soon after finding out, it made sense. Renee needs someone who is older and who can see through her façade. Renee needed to be with someone who will help calm her worries and ease her vulnerabilities. Younger men aren’t always equipped to do that but his man is. He really works for her.
In the last book, Kelly introduced us to a few Banes – people with powers who fought on the side of evil in the war. We continue to meet and get to know some in this intallment. I like that she is doing this. It really makes readers re-think what they felt in the first couple of books when it comes to these supposed evil people. I especially like the Bane we see quite a bit of in this book…and to find out who I am talking about you will just have to read the book. ;)
Other than introducing us to Banes we met previously and watching Renee deal with her crazy life, we also meet a group of Metas. And the mystery of who the ultimate bad guy is is still addressed in this installment.
We get a lot of updates about heroes and heroines from past books. Let me warn you, not all of the updates are good. Kelly really doesn’t spare anyone in this series. Which brings me to the jaw dropping/shocking moments.
This would not be a Meta Wars book without a few insane jaw dropping revelations. There were plenty to chose from. Most, as usual, caught me off guard and made me freeze, shake my head and re-read the passage to make sure I read correctly the first time. And as usual, there was one in particular that left me more disbelieving than others. That is part of the fun of this series. These poor characters go through SO much! And just when you think nothing else could happen, bam! something else happens! Someone new comes out of the woodwork or someone dies or… No one is safe in these books. But what fun would it be if people were safe?! It would make one dull book and that is one thing this series and this book is not and that’s boring.
Overall, I really enjoyed Chimera. It is one crazy ride that really does keep you wanting more. Kelly is such an amazing storyteller. Her world continues to impress me and her characters continue to charm me. This is dark urban fantasy with an extra fantastical twist and fans of the genre really should check these books out.
December 14, 2013
Fans of X-men and Tahereh Mafi’s Shatter Me series will fall in love with the MetaWars. With scientific enhancements and mutations that are all but magic, this politically messy series contains a world that has remade itself over and over again. And despite that complexity, I jumped in with CHIMERA and found myself up to speed and invested from page one.
The only downside to starting this series at book four was my perception of the character’s ages. Renee was volatile but self-aware, snarky but empathetic, and the perfect point of view to introduce me to this world, but something about her had me thinking she was in her late teens for much of the book. Correcting that misinterpretation didn’t set me back, but it does say something about the tone and style of narrative. Though Renee certainly has baggage and prejudices, CHIMERA is more about her own healing than resolving a contrived misunderstanding. A wounded warrior surrounded by heroes, as Renee comes to accept herself she opens herself up to accepting others. The relationships, both romantic and otherwise, were a beautifully organic part of the story.
Marvel has nothing on the twists and turns and past plots that make up the MetaWars, but the amount of backstory Meding provided was enough to keep me moving forward. I was surprised to find myself as invested in the global, cultural fate of Metas as their individual love stories. Happiness is achieved in the moment, but this messy, violent world makes it clear that “happily-ever-after” isn’t guaranteed to be just around the corner. This team hasn’t given up on the fight, though, and my fingers are crossed that this series culminates in a safer world for them all.
Sexual Content: An explicit sex scene, references to sex.
The only downside to starting this series at book four was my perception of the character’s ages. Renee was volatile but self-aware, snarky but empathetic, and the perfect point of view to introduce me to this world, but something about her had me thinking she was in her late teens for much of the book. Correcting that misinterpretation didn’t set me back, but it does say something about the tone and style of narrative. Though Renee certainly has baggage and prejudices, CHIMERA is more about her own healing than resolving a contrived misunderstanding. A wounded warrior surrounded by heroes, as Renee comes to accept herself she opens herself up to accepting others. The relationships, both romantic and otherwise, were a beautifully organic part of the story.
Marvel has nothing on the twists and turns and past plots that make up the MetaWars, but the amount of backstory Meding provided was enough to keep me moving forward. I was surprised to find myself as invested in the global, cultural fate of Metas as their individual love stories. Happiness is achieved in the moment, but this messy, violent world makes it clear that “happily-ever-after” isn’t guaranteed to be just around the corner. This team hasn’t given up on the fight, though, and my fingers are crossed that this series culminates in a safer world for them all.
Sexual Content: An explicit sex scene, references to sex.
November 14, 2013
This is a Quickie Review. For the full review, please visit The Romanceaholic.
Expected Release Date: November 11, 2013
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Imprint: Pocket Star
Author’s Website: http://kellymeding.com
My Source for This Book: Edelweiss
Part of a Series: Yes, Book 4, MetaWars Series
Series Best Read In Order: Probably
Steam Level: Warm
Pet Peeves: Flat Hero
Favorite Tropes: Superheroes, Physically Imperfect or Scarred, PTSD, Bad Guy Turns Good
I really shouldn’t have skipped the last few books in this series… It wasn’t intentional — I just never really got around to them. Thus I found myself a bit lost a times, even though the author did a pretty good job “catching up” new readers.
I wasn’t too keen on Derek though — he didn’t get as much character development as I would have liked, and the whirlwind romance didn’t help matters any. I did, however, enjoy his relationship with both Renee and the other Metas, and overall, I would say that it was a good read — plenty of action, quite a bit of character development on the part of the our heroine, Renee, and an obvious continuation of the series’ story arc.
4/5 Stars
Expected Release Date: November 11, 2013
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Imprint: Pocket Star
Author’s Website: http://kellymeding.com
My Source for This Book: Edelweiss
Part of a Series: Yes, Book 4, MetaWars Series
Series Best Read In Order: Probably
Steam Level: Warm
Pet Peeves: Flat Hero
Favorite Tropes: Superheroes, Physically Imperfect or Scarred, PTSD, Bad Guy Turns Good
I really shouldn’t have skipped the last few books in this series… It wasn’t intentional — I just never really got around to them. Thus I found myself a bit lost a times, even though the author did a pretty good job “catching up” new readers.
I wasn’t too keen on Derek though — he didn’t get as much character development as I would have liked, and the whirlwind romance didn’t help matters any. I did, however, enjoy his relationship with both Renee and the other Metas, and overall, I would say that it was a good read — plenty of action, quite a bit of character development on the part of the our heroine, Renee, and an obvious continuation of the series’ story arc.
4/5 Stars
August 3, 2018
I really enjoyed the first three books in the Meta Wars series. I was a bit apprehensive about this book though because I wasn’t really a fan of Renee “Flex” Duvall. She wasn’t the most likeable character, but as I read Chimera I realized why and I totally got it. I like Renee much more now than ever before. I feel like she found herself in this book and it was great to watch. I liked that she was forced to work with Derek “Chimera” Thatcher and got to see a little bit of what it was like to be a Bane. She’s spent most of her life despising them for what they did, with good reason, but did they also have a good reason for doing what they did?
This book starts off like each of the others. We’re dropped right into the action and I enjoyed every second of it. It was great seeing characters from previous books and getting more information on how certain aspects of the world came to be. I’m really bummed that this is the final book in the series, at least at this point. I would love more and I kind of feel like the ending leads us to assume that there could be more down the road.
I’m really mad at myself for waiting so long to really give this book a chance. I should have known better and I should have trusted that I would love this book as much as the others and I did...if not more so. I loved Renee and Derek and their redemption stories. I loved that they were not exactly what they seemed. I highly recommend this book and this entire series.
This book starts off like each of the others. We’re dropped right into the action and I enjoyed every second of it. It was great seeing characters from previous books and getting more information on how certain aspects of the world came to be. I’m really bummed that this is the final book in the series, at least at this point. I would love more and I kind of feel like the ending leads us to assume that there could be more down the road.
I’m really mad at myself for waiting so long to really give this book a chance. I should have known better and I should have trusted that I would love this book as much as the others and I did...if not more so. I loved Renee and Derek and their redemption stories. I loved that they were not exactly what they seemed. I highly recommend this book and this entire series.
November 3, 2017
An interesting journey through the mind of Renee Duvall, I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know her.
March 30, 2014
Review courtesy of Dark Faerie Tales
Quick & Dirty: Never a fan of the idea of rehabilitating the Banes, Renee, aka Flex, must now work with one of them in order to uncover the latest secret project of the Overseer’s. Will she be able to remain civil long enough to get the job done?
Opening Sentence: Tap. Tap. Tap.
The Review:
I found myself a little confused at the end of this book because I could have sworn I had heard that it was going to be the last book in the series, and the book ends in much the same way as previous books in the series have done: open-endedly, with teasers as to what’s coming next. I certainly hope that more books are written for this series, as I truly enjoy it, and this book was no different. My rating reflects my feelings on the book as if the series were continuing.
Renee/Flex has definitely had it rough since book 1. She is still recovering from burn injuries she sustained back in book 2. While her body has healed, mentally and emotionally, she’s having a very rough time. Because of the severity and extent of her burns, her Flex powers are no longer as strong as they once were, leaving her only able to stretch her arms, legs, and neck, rather than her entire body. This means in field situations, she’s reduced to arming herself with a gun, making her feel like she is a useless member of the team.
There’s no time to throw a pity party though because as usual, times are not peaceful. Sent to investigate a series a robberies, Renee and the rest of the team discover the robberies are being done by a pair of teenagers with Meta powers. Further investigation reveals that the male teenager is actually the son of former Bane Derek “Chimera” Thatcher. There’s only one problem: Derek was told 15 years ago that his son died in a fire. Now, he’s been granted temporary parole so that he can help the Metas locate his son and find out what happened all those years ago. This puts him in direct contact with Renee, a woman who has made no effort to hide her feelings on Banes. Will they be able to work together for the greater good?
Renee has not been my favorite character throughout this series, so I wasn’t entirely sure how I felt about her being the heroine of this book. Once I began to learn about her backstory and what brought her to the Rangers as a little girl, I began to warm up to her considerably and see her in a much more sympathetic light. Derek ends up being a perfect match for her, and I had a great time watching their relationship unfold. As much as I love first person narration, I think it would have been great to see some of this book from Derek’s point of view rather than Renee’s. I found myself very interested in what he was thinking when certain scenes were occurring. If there are going to be future books in this series, I would love to have a Bane narrator at some point. I think they would offer an interesting perspective.
As with all of the previous books in this series, this one starts with a bang and just keeps going, never losing momentum. I’m always so anxious to find out what’s going to happen next, and then so disappointed when I realize I’ve made it to the end. I truly hope there are going to be more books in this series, as I’ve enjoyed it from the very first page of book one. This book was no different, and fans of the series should be pleased with the answers we get and intrigued to find out where the series goes from here.
Notable Scene:
“It’s where the council performs punishments.”
“What?”
“In public?” Thatcher asked.
“Of course in public,” Landon said. “How is it a deterrent if it’s done in private?”
Ice water surged in my veins, and my vision tunneled in on the platform. I saw it as clearly as if it were happening all over again: a jeering crowd spewing profanities and urging the leaders on; a girl helpless to defend herself, crying for her parents to save her; the stone-cold faces of her torturers, uncaring of the agony they were inflicting on a child.
I felt the sun on my face. I felt the wood at my back and ropes against my naked skin. Smoke rose up and choked me, leached into my nose and mouth and skin. Flames licked higher, closer, searing heat eager to taste my newly blue flesh. Flesh that ached to bend and twist, to help me escape, only they’d tied me too tight, bound me too well. Fear and despair and hatred held me captive as securely as the priest’s ropes. As securely as the revulsion in my parents’ eyes as they watched from the crowd.
FTC Advisory: Pocket Star/Simon and Schuster provided me with a copy of Chimera. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review.
Quick & Dirty: Never a fan of the idea of rehabilitating the Banes, Renee, aka Flex, must now work with one of them in order to uncover the latest secret project of the Overseer’s. Will she be able to remain civil long enough to get the job done?
Opening Sentence: Tap. Tap. Tap.
The Review:
I found myself a little confused at the end of this book because I could have sworn I had heard that it was going to be the last book in the series, and the book ends in much the same way as previous books in the series have done: open-endedly, with teasers as to what’s coming next. I certainly hope that more books are written for this series, as I truly enjoy it, and this book was no different. My rating reflects my feelings on the book as if the series were continuing.
Renee/Flex has definitely had it rough since book 1. She is still recovering from burn injuries she sustained back in book 2. While her body has healed, mentally and emotionally, she’s having a very rough time. Because of the severity and extent of her burns, her Flex powers are no longer as strong as they once were, leaving her only able to stretch her arms, legs, and neck, rather than her entire body. This means in field situations, she’s reduced to arming herself with a gun, making her feel like she is a useless member of the team.
There’s no time to throw a pity party though because as usual, times are not peaceful. Sent to investigate a series a robberies, Renee and the rest of the team discover the robberies are being done by a pair of teenagers with Meta powers. Further investigation reveals that the male teenager is actually the son of former Bane Derek “Chimera” Thatcher. There’s only one problem: Derek was told 15 years ago that his son died in a fire. Now, he’s been granted temporary parole so that he can help the Metas locate his son and find out what happened all those years ago. This puts him in direct contact with Renee, a woman who has made no effort to hide her feelings on Banes. Will they be able to work together for the greater good?
Renee has not been my favorite character throughout this series, so I wasn’t entirely sure how I felt about her being the heroine of this book. Once I began to learn about her backstory and what brought her to the Rangers as a little girl, I began to warm up to her considerably and see her in a much more sympathetic light. Derek ends up being a perfect match for her, and I had a great time watching their relationship unfold. As much as I love first person narration, I think it would have been great to see some of this book from Derek’s point of view rather than Renee’s. I found myself very interested in what he was thinking when certain scenes were occurring. If there are going to be future books in this series, I would love to have a Bane narrator at some point. I think they would offer an interesting perspective.
As with all of the previous books in this series, this one starts with a bang and just keeps going, never losing momentum. I’m always so anxious to find out what’s going to happen next, and then so disappointed when I realize I’ve made it to the end. I truly hope there are going to be more books in this series, as I’ve enjoyed it from the very first page of book one. This book was no different, and fans of the series should be pleased with the answers we get and intrigued to find out where the series goes from here.
Notable Scene:
“It’s where the council performs punishments.”
“What?”
“In public?” Thatcher asked.
“Of course in public,” Landon said. “How is it a deterrent if it’s done in private?”
Ice water surged in my veins, and my vision tunneled in on the platform. I saw it as clearly as if it were happening all over again: a jeering crowd spewing profanities and urging the leaders on; a girl helpless to defend herself, crying for her parents to save her; the stone-cold faces of her torturers, uncaring of the agony they were inflicting on a child.
I felt the sun on my face. I felt the wood at my back and ropes against my naked skin. Smoke rose up and choked me, leached into my nose and mouth and skin. Flames licked higher, closer, searing heat eager to taste my newly blue flesh. Flesh that ached to bend and twist, to help me escape, only they’d tied me too tight, bound me too well. Fear and despair and hatred held me captive as securely as the priest’s ropes. As securely as the revulsion in my parents’ eyes as they watched from the crowd.
FTC Advisory: Pocket Star/Simon and Schuster provided me with a copy of Chimera. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review.
November 4, 2013
I received this e-ARC for review from the publishers via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review, I was in no way compensated for this review.
Kelly Meding's superhero series Metawars, is quite more interesting than I would've thought it to be. I somehow missed Tempest, the previous book as it was an ebook only kind of release. Must get to that one, luckily I wasn't too lost when reading Chimera.
A lot of the problems that have been effecting the group are still around, especially ones I missed from the previous book which apparently brought upon a whole new group of enemies from their master enemy The Overseer. Still not much about this bad dude or dudette. Only that he is making life for these superheroes very difficult.
This time around Renee gets her story told, Renee, aka Flex, is the blue-skinned woman who can stretch her body to great lengths. She's apart of the team tracking down some teenage thieves who are stealing great amounts of groceries. After a series of unfortunate events, she is lead to Chimera, a Bane who is in prison who might be able to help her and her team out.
Trusting a Bane, even an ex-Bane is hard for Renee because he is the sworn enemy, out of principle. But as they work this case together, she gets to know him and she starts to like what he sees. She's still healing both physically and emotionally from all that she's endured over the past couple months (aka three books) and through it all, Chimera seems to understand her.
The case soon takes a different course as nothing is what it appeared to be before. There are more teenage Metas about who are lost. Their caregiver known as Uncle--yeah, that's not creepy at all--has forsaken them after a supposed betrayal and the teens are left lost and confused and bit angry, basically like normal teenagers going through difficult crap except they have superpowers to fuel their anger. So not good.
There are still other issues going with the group, some remains of whatever happened in Tempest and then of course there's a great deal of friction between Trance and Gage. Not sure what caused all that, probably something from Tempest, but the ending definitely leaves you shocked and hanging! Then there's also the Dahila/Noah/Ash dealio where they are all sharing the same body. Turns out that's not exactly a good thing since the Changeling cannot contain that many "people" at once.
Really, there's a whirlwind of problems going on and still the group has the main problem of trying to find out who this Overseer is and how to stop him. And as I was saying about the ending, there's quite the cliffhanger and since The Overseer remains a problem, I can only hope that there will be at least another book! You can digitally own the entire series (so far, I hope!) in one ebook bundle.
Overall, I enjoyed this side of Renee. There were times in Changeling--and possibly Trance, since I can't quite recall it all--that she wasn't the nicest person ever. Not quite hostile, but not always pleasant. This book definitely lets you see another side to her. And I quite enjoyed getting inside her head.
The Metawars series is quite different from my normal UF reads, but I quite like it! It's superheroes people! How awesome are they? These are a different type of heroes as well and getting to know them and the mystery of their powers and whatnot has been an exciting read, one that I hope will continue after this current one!
Overall Rating 4/5 stars
Chimera releases November 11, 2013
Kelly Meding's superhero series Metawars, is quite more interesting than I would've thought it to be. I somehow missed Tempest, the previous book as it was an ebook only kind of release. Must get to that one, luckily I wasn't too lost when reading Chimera.
A lot of the problems that have been effecting the group are still around, especially ones I missed from the previous book which apparently brought upon a whole new group of enemies from their master enemy The Overseer. Still not much about this bad dude or dudette. Only that he is making life for these superheroes very difficult.
This time around Renee gets her story told, Renee, aka Flex, is the blue-skinned woman who can stretch her body to great lengths. She's apart of the team tracking down some teenage thieves who are stealing great amounts of groceries. After a series of unfortunate events, she is lead to Chimera, a Bane who is in prison who might be able to help her and her team out.
Trusting a Bane, even an ex-Bane is hard for Renee because he is the sworn enemy, out of principle. But as they work this case together, she gets to know him and she starts to like what he sees. She's still healing both physically and emotionally from all that she's endured over the past couple months (aka three books) and through it all, Chimera seems to understand her.
The case soon takes a different course as nothing is what it appeared to be before. There are more teenage Metas about who are lost. Their caregiver known as Uncle--yeah, that's not creepy at all--has forsaken them after a supposed betrayal and the teens are left lost and confused and bit angry, basically like normal teenagers going through difficult crap except they have superpowers to fuel their anger. So not good.
There are still other issues going with the group, some remains of whatever happened in Tempest and then of course there's a great deal of friction between Trance and Gage. Not sure what caused all that, probably something from Tempest, but the ending definitely leaves you shocked and hanging! Then there's also the Dahila/Noah/Ash dealio where they are all sharing the same body. Turns out that's not exactly a good thing since the Changeling cannot contain that many "people" at once.
Really, there's a whirlwind of problems going on and still the group has the main problem of trying to find out who this Overseer is and how to stop him. And as I was saying about the ending, there's quite the cliffhanger and since The Overseer remains a problem, I can only hope that there will be at least another book! You can digitally own the entire series (so far, I hope!) in one ebook bundle.
Overall, I enjoyed this side of Renee. There were times in Changeling--and possibly Trance, since I can't quite recall it all--that she wasn't the nicest person ever. Not quite hostile, but not always pleasant. This book definitely lets you see another side to her. And I quite enjoyed getting inside her head.
The Metawars series is quite different from my normal UF reads, but I quite like it! It's superheroes people! How awesome are they? These are a different type of heroes as well and getting to know them and the mystery of their powers and whatnot has been an exciting read, one that I hope will continue after this current one!
Overall Rating 4/5 stars
Chimera releases November 11, 2013
August 6, 2016
I enjoy this series and I look forward to the new installments, but this one wasn’t my favorite for a few reasons. The book is called Chimera, straying a little from the tradition of naming the story after the title character. Chimera is the love interest, but Renee is the main character. I guess the Powers That Be didn’t want a book named Flex. But I digress.
Flex is the blue chick whose powers make her kind of like Plastic Man, or at least they did before terrible burns ravaged her body, severely limiting her abilities. As a result, this became more of a story about how an almost powerless Meta could stand in the face of all that is happening, surrounded by others who could crush her with a thought. Add to that, all the baggage that comes with being a Meta, and a horrible, abusive history to boot, and you’ve got Renee. She is intensely loyal to her team; she has a huge chip on her shoulder about the Banes; and she is nursing a broken heart over William’s death. It doesn’t exactly set the stage for romance.
Of course, there is a romance brewing here. It’s with (former) Bane, Derek Thatcher, AKA Chimera. It seems his long-lost son is using his telekinesis to break the law. So Renee and the other Metas get him off the prison island to help track the boy down. The young man, Landon, isn’t the villain he first seems, however. We come to find out that he is part of yet another conspiracy regarding covert Meta groups and the manipulation of their powers.
I will take this moment to address one of my two main issues with the book. The series has passed confusing and landed firmly into the camp of convoluted. There are so many characters and factions that I stopped even trying to connect the dots and remember who everyone is. Even the recaps left me feeling lost and I have read all the books. I can only imagine how a new reader would feel. I honestly had to just ignore the holes and roll with it in order to stick with the story. It bothered me. (On a small, more specific note, it bothered me when we started separating Ace and Noah as two different people when I thought they had kind of merged into one… and when he (they?) referred to him(them)self as different people by name, my head threatened to explode.)
My other issue was that I wanted to spend more time with the romance. It had really good set-up, at least on Renee’s side. We never got past the superficial on Derek, though I did like what we were able to see of him. I wanted more. And I definitely wanted more of them together, more stuff with their relationship. Instead, we got a scene or two and more conspiracy, secrets, brooding, and pain. It’s not that those things shouldn’t have been in the book, I was just too overwhelmed through much of it to enjoy the parts I liked.
I will say I am glad we got a resolution on the dangling Noah/Ace/Dahlia story. Thank you, Kelly Meding, for addressing this situation. And the last line of the book was great. But I really hope this series will stop expanding and focus the next book on a smaller level. Let’s deal with the bad guys we already know about before adding more, and let us enjoy watching our heroes have a little more time balancing the light in their lives with the dark.
Rating: B-/C+
*ARC Provided by Pocket
Flex is the blue chick whose powers make her kind of like Plastic Man, or at least they did before terrible burns ravaged her body, severely limiting her abilities. As a result, this became more of a story about how an almost powerless Meta could stand in the face of all that is happening, surrounded by others who could crush her with a thought. Add to that, all the baggage that comes with being a Meta, and a horrible, abusive history to boot, and you’ve got Renee. She is intensely loyal to her team; she has a huge chip on her shoulder about the Banes; and she is nursing a broken heart over William’s death. It doesn’t exactly set the stage for romance.
Of course, there is a romance brewing here. It’s with (former) Bane, Derek Thatcher, AKA Chimera. It seems his long-lost son is using his telekinesis to break the law. So Renee and the other Metas get him off the prison island to help track the boy down. The young man, Landon, isn’t the villain he first seems, however. We come to find out that he is part of yet another conspiracy regarding covert Meta groups and the manipulation of their powers.
I will take this moment to address one of my two main issues with the book. The series has passed confusing and landed firmly into the camp of convoluted. There are so many characters and factions that I stopped even trying to connect the dots and remember who everyone is. Even the recaps left me feeling lost and I have read all the books. I can only imagine how a new reader would feel. I honestly had to just ignore the holes and roll with it in order to stick with the story. It bothered me. (On a small, more specific note, it bothered me when we started separating Ace and Noah as two different people when I thought they had kind of merged into one… and when he (they?) referred to him(them)self as different people by name, my head threatened to explode.)
My other issue was that I wanted to spend more time with the romance. It had really good set-up, at least on Renee’s side. We never got past the superficial on Derek, though I did like what we were able to see of him. I wanted more. And I definitely wanted more of them together, more stuff with their relationship. Instead, we got a scene or two and more conspiracy, secrets, brooding, and pain. It’s not that those things shouldn’t have been in the book, I was just too overwhelmed through much of it to enjoy the parts I liked.
I will say I am glad we got a resolution on the dangling Noah/Ace/Dahlia story. Thank you, Kelly Meding, for addressing this situation. And the last line of the book was great. But I really hope this series will stop expanding and focus the next book on a smaller level. Let’s deal with the bad guys we already know about before adding more, and let us enjoy watching our heroes have a little more time balancing the light in their lives with the dark.
Rating: B-/C+
*ARC Provided by Pocket
October 10, 2013
The conspiracies and secrets continue to slowly unravel. Just when you though the clones where the biggest manipulation a new devastating secret comes into the light. Children with powers that resemble the most powerful Banes have emerged and they are committing crimes that will turn a negative light on all Metas. To stop them Flex must align with someone she considered an enemy, the Bane Chimera.
Slowly Chimera and Renee (Flex) discover they both suffered from their pasts and might have more in common then they ever imagined. Can they learn to trust each other before tragedy strikes at the heart of the Metas...at their children...
Kelly Meding rocks the world building in the Meta Wars series. Just when you think the Metas are getting attacked on all sides a new and disturbing aspect to the war time tactics spring up.
I happen to be reading this story while driving to a camping trip with my dad. When he asked me to describe what I was reading, I said its a dystopian story with Xmenish type characters and a Game of Thrones type conspiracy plot...highly complicated and you never know where it is going to go next.
This high velocity story line will get your heart pounding while the plot twists and turn will keep engage you till the end. Chimera has intense character development and plot altering advancements that will keep you reeling.
I do recommend reading this series in order so you can more appreciate the event that unfold in Chimera.
I received this ARC copy of Chimera from Pocket Star in exchange for a honest review. This book is set for publication November 11, 2013.
Written by: Kelly Meding
Series: Meta Wars
Sequence in Series: 4
ISBN-13: 9781451697933
Publisher: Pocket Star
Publication date: 11/11/2013
Sold by: SIMON & SCHUSTER
Pages: 384
Rating: 4 Stars
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Age Recommendation: Adult
To Learn More: Kelly Meding's Website
Find this book on: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
For more reviews check out Tome Tender's Book Blog or find us on Facebook.
Slowly Chimera and Renee (Flex) discover they both suffered from their pasts and might have more in common then they ever imagined. Can they learn to trust each other before tragedy strikes at the heart of the Metas...at their children...
Kelly Meding rocks the world building in the Meta Wars series. Just when you think the Metas are getting attacked on all sides a new and disturbing aspect to the war time tactics spring up.
I happen to be reading this story while driving to a camping trip with my dad. When he asked me to describe what I was reading, I said its a dystopian story with Xmenish type characters and a Game of Thrones type conspiracy plot...highly complicated and you never know where it is going to go next.
This high velocity story line will get your heart pounding while the plot twists and turn will keep engage you till the end. Chimera has intense character development and plot altering advancements that will keep you reeling.
I do recommend reading this series in order so you can more appreciate the event that unfold in Chimera.
I received this ARC copy of Chimera from Pocket Star in exchange for a honest review. This book is set for publication November 11, 2013.
Written by: Kelly Meding
Series: Meta Wars
Sequence in Series: 4
ISBN-13: 9781451697933
Publisher: Pocket Star
Publication date: 11/11/2013
Sold by: SIMON & SCHUSTER
Pages: 384
Rating: 4 Stars
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Age Recommendation: Adult
To Learn More: Kelly Meding's Website
Find this book on: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
For more reviews check out Tome Tender's Book Blog or find us on Facebook.
September 3, 2016
Let's see here, Chimera gives us:
* A first-person account of super-hero life from an under-represented type of Super-Hero -- Check!
* Personal conflicts, Personal demons, general turmoil -- moreso than most X-Men, even -- heroes that carry emotional scars in addition to those earned in battleCheck!
* Impending Government Persecution of Super-Heroes -- Check!
* A sex scene that goes on far too long for comfort -- but is thankfully easily skippableCheck!
Yup. Chimera is a MetaWars book. It carries all the marks.
Renee Duval, aka Flex, is the focus this time around. She and a notorious ex-Bane have been dispatched to investigate a series of thefts that have to be being carried out by one or more teen Metas. With the threat of officially sanctioned internment of Metas hovering over them, the last thing the Rangers need is some punk kids bringing down the heat on them and any other law-abiding Meta. So Renee and Chimera have their work cut out for them -- particularly considering that Renee's doing her best to hang on to her anti-Bane sentiment, far after the rest of her team is softening. What they discover is unsettling for them, and doesn't exactly fill the reader with a sense of joy, either.
One the one hand, I get Meding's motive for varying P.O.V. characters in each book -- and in many ways, I prefer this to the books that jump P.O.V. every chapter or so. But it's also a weakness -- for example -- Trance was our entry into this world, we saw it all through her eyes. But we don't get a whole lot of Trance any more -- and what we do is just in brief bursts of conversation, and we don't get the same impression of, knowledge of, experience of her. Still, Flex is a strong, yet flawed character, and it was nice to get in her head.
Plenty of action, some solid character growth, good plot advancement -- Chimera is another good installment in a very satisfactory series. For a dystopian future, there's something welcoming about this world, and I enjoy any time I get to spend in it. This book took me a freakishly long time to finish. That's not a reflection on the character(s), the story, or the author -- I was apparently busier and more tired than I realized until I saw just how long I'd spent reading the book (I'm not so unaware to not notice it was taking me awhile, just didn't see how long I was taking). It was a good read, an engaging read.
* A first-person account of super-hero life from an under-represented type of Super-Hero -- Check!
* Personal conflicts, Personal demons, general turmoil -- moreso than most X-Men, even -- heroes that carry emotional scars in addition to those earned in battleCheck!
* Impending Government Persecution of Super-Heroes -- Check!
* A sex scene that goes on far too long for comfort -- but is thankfully easily skippableCheck!
Yup. Chimera is a MetaWars book. It carries all the marks.
Renee Duval, aka Flex, is the focus this time around. She and a notorious ex-Bane have been dispatched to investigate a series of thefts that have to be being carried out by one or more teen Metas. With the threat of officially sanctioned internment of Metas hovering over them, the last thing the Rangers need is some punk kids bringing down the heat on them and any other law-abiding Meta. So Renee and Chimera have their work cut out for them -- particularly considering that Renee's doing her best to hang on to her anti-Bane sentiment, far after the rest of her team is softening. What they discover is unsettling for them, and doesn't exactly fill the reader with a sense of joy, either.
One the one hand, I get Meding's motive for varying P.O.V. characters in each book -- and in many ways, I prefer this to the books that jump P.O.V. every chapter or so. But it's also a weakness -- for example -- Trance was our entry into this world, we saw it all through her eyes. But we don't get a whole lot of Trance any more -- and what we do is just in brief bursts of conversation, and we don't get the same impression of, knowledge of, experience of her. Still, Flex is a strong, yet flawed character, and it was nice to get in her head.
Plenty of action, some solid character growth, good plot advancement -- Chimera is another good installment in a very satisfactory series. For a dystopian future, there's something welcoming about this world, and I enjoy any time I get to spend in it. This book took me a freakishly long time to finish. That's not a reflection on the character(s), the story, or the author -- I was apparently busier and more tired than I realized until I saw just how long I'd spent reading the book (I'm not so unaware to not notice it was taking me awhile, just didn't see how long I was taking). It was a good read, an engaging read.
November 19, 2013
Ok I went into this series having not read any of the rest of this series but I still loved this book. I started this book out by meeting Rene who is apparently dealing with some fall out from the last book and having has some serious emotional scars left behind. I have to say I instantly clicked with Renee because she was snarky and even though she tried to put up the tough girl front she really was somewhat vulnerable and she really deep down wanted to be loved. Renee quickly realizes they may be coming up against an enemy that might be one of their toughest yet. I liked the fact that this was a group of humans with X Men type powers and it was really cool to see all the differences between them all and the way they worked together as an awesome team. Renee petty soon realizes that she will have to work with a Bane named Chimera which is the one thing she is dead set against as it has been ingrained in her to hate them.
I have to say that I liked Chimera and he was really cool yet complicated. I loved how he was trying to become a better person and sort through his past issues. I hated that at first all Renee saw him as was who he was before as it was clear the man wanted to become better. As the start working together though I started to love the chemistry they had together. I was so interested in seeing where it was going to go from there. They get more into the case and learn that things are as simple as they seem to be as there seem to be some teens involved that are pretty powerful in their own right. I loved seeing that the teens really were trying to make things better for others and weren't as bad as they seemed to be.
Overall this was a really engaging read and I have to go back to read the rest of the series to see how it all really started and to get way more back story. I have to say the author crafted a great story and made it so engaging with lots of plots and twists and turns along the way. I am interested to see what happens in the next book after the bombshell that was dropped at the end of this one also. I would recommend this one to readers that love a good action tale with cool characters aplenty.
I have to say that I liked Chimera and he was really cool yet complicated. I loved how he was trying to become a better person and sort through his past issues. I hated that at first all Renee saw him as was who he was before as it was clear the man wanted to become better. As the start working together though I started to love the chemistry they had together. I was so interested in seeing where it was going to go from there. They get more into the case and learn that things are as simple as they seem to be as there seem to be some teens involved that are pretty powerful in their own right. I loved seeing that the teens really were trying to make things better for others and weren't as bad as they seemed to be.
Overall this was a really engaging read and I have to go back to read the rest of the series to see how it all really started and to get way more back story. I have to say the author crafted a great story and made it so engaging with lots of plots and twists and turns along the way. I am interested to see what happens in the next book after the bombshell that was dropped at the end of this one also. I would recommend this one to readers that love a good action tale with cool characters aplenty.
November 26, 2013
This is the third in a sci-fi/fantasy series a la X-men and hybrid superheroes Metas: The Complete Series: Trance, Changeling, Tempest, Chimera.
I realise the author has tried to introduce enough info to warrant this being a stand-alone novel and does so successfully. However I felt that it was to the detriment of the actual plot. There was so much back-story, relationships, siblings and half siblings, names and places that it was hard to discern the actual plot in there sometimes.
It is very difficult for Renee to not only interact but work together with someone she considers an enemy, the Bane Chimera. Their relationship takes a surprising turn and one that quite frankly I found hard to swallow. The relationship also put this book on a secure NA level for me instead of YA.
I didn't like the way the author portrayed Renee when it came to her own image and the way others reacted to it, especially other females. Other females don't like her because she has a good figure and a big bust. Come again?
She is not only reducing herself to her breasts, which she does on quite a few occasions, without any help from a male I might add. She is also suggesting that women are incapable of liking other females who are good looking or have certain qualities which men might find appealing. We get enough misogynistic characters in NA/YA I think readers can do without the strong female lead characters dissing other women. That aspect of Renee's character bugged me enough that I felt a lack of empathy for her.
The series could be a stronger one if the previous content isn't allowed to take over the next episode in the story.
I received a copy of this book courtesy of Edelweiss.
I realise the author has tried to introduce enough info to warrant this being a stand-alone novel and does so successfully. However I felt that it was to the detriment of the actual plot. There was so much back-story, relationships, siblings and half siblings, names and places that it was hard to discern the actual plot in there sometimes.
It is very difficult for Renee to not only interact but work together with someone she considers an enemy, the Bane Chimera. Their relationship takes a surprising turn and one that quite frankly I found hard to swallow. The relationship also put this book on a secure NA level for me instead of YA.
I didn't like the way the author portrayed Renee when it came to her own image and the way others reacted to it, especially other females. Other females don't like her because she has a good figure and a big bust. Come again?
She is not only reducing herself to her breasts, which she does on quite a few occasions, without any help from a male I might add. She is also suggesting that women are incapable of liking other females who are good looking or have certain qualities which men might find appealing. We get enough misogynistic characters in NA/YA I think readers can do without the strong female lead characters dissing other women. That aspect of Renee's character bugged me enough that I felt a lack of empathy for her.
The series could be a stronger one if the previous content isn't allowed to take over the next episode in the story.
I received a copy of this book courtesy of Edelweiss.
November 15, 2013
Fans of X-men and Tahereh Mafi's Shatter Me series will fall in love with the MetaWars. With scientific enhancements and mutations that are all but magic, this politically messy series has remade itself over and over again. And despite that complexity, I jumped in with CHIMERA and found myself up to speed and invested.
The only downside to starting this series at book four was my perception of the character's ages. Renee was volatile but self-aware, snarky but empathetic, and the perfect point of view to introduce me to this world. Though she certainly has baggage and prejudices, CHIMERA is more about her own healing than resolving a contrived misunderstanding. A wounded warrior surrounded by heroes, as Renee comes to accept herself she opens herself up to accepting others. The relationships, both romantic and otherwise, were a beautifully organic part of the story.
Marvel has nothing on the twists and turns and past plots that make up the MetaWars, but the amount of backstory Meding provided was enough to keep me moving forward. I was surprised to find myself as invested in the global, cultural fate of Metas as their individual love stories. Happiness is achieved in the moment, this messy, violent world makes it clear that "happily-ever-after" isn't guaranteed to be just around the corner. It's certainly worth the fight, though, and I'm looking forward to reading along with it.
Full review to follow.
Sexual Content: An explicit sex scene, references to sex.
The only downside to starting this series at book four was my perception of the character's ages. Renee was volatile but self-aware, snarky but empathetic, and the perfect point of view to introduce me to this world. Though she certainly has baggage and prejudices, CHIMERA is more about her own healing than resolving a contrived misunderstanding. A wounded warrior surrounded by heroes, as Renee comes to accept herself she opens herself up to accepting others. The relationships, both romantic and otherwise, were a beautifully organic part of the story.
Marvel has nothing on the twists and turns and past plots that make up the MetaWars, but the amount of backstory Meding provided was enough to keep me moving forward. I was surprised to find myself as invested in the global, cultural fate of Metas as their individual love stories. Happiness is achieved in the moment, this messy, violent world makes it clear that "happily-ever-after" isn't guaranteed to be just around the corner. It's certainly worth the fight, though, and I'm looking forward to reading along with it.
Full review to follow.
Sexual Content: An explicit sex scene, references to sex.
November 15, 2013
I'll admit that I wasn't sure if I was going to enjoy this book or not. Renee "Flex" Duvall has never been my favorite character in the MetaWars series. However, I am glad that I gave this story a chance. Not only did I really start to like Renee, but I actually think this might be my favorite one in series so far. There were lots of new Metas introduced, a few more little crumbs regarding the Recombinants and Clones, and of course a Bane or two. One of the reasons I love Meding's stories is that I always get something unexpected with lots of plot twists and turns....she is certainly not predictable. I really hope that Meding will get the chance to continue this series (especially after this cliffhanger ending)!
November 26, 2013
I had a hard time warming up to so much in this book. The most important was the relationship between Renee and Derek. Renee hates Banes with a passion, so I find it hard to believe that in a week her mind has been changed. Another part that was off for me was the Junior Rangers. They seemed to come out of no where and most weren't likeable.
While the group did learn more about Meta's as a whole, there were so many more questions. I also didn't care for how things ended with this one, Trance sure laid a bomb on Renee. With how this series has been going for the author/publisher, who knows if we will get to know any more.
While the group did learn more about Meta's as a whole, there were so many more questions. I also didn't care for how things ended with this one, Trance sure laid a bomb on Renee. With how this series has been going for the author/publisher, who knows if we will get to know any more.
December 12, 2013
Kelly Meding is more concerned with the human problems of her super-heroes to find the humor in super powers. In her fourth book about the heroes who lost their powers for fifteen years after destroying New York City, hidden children of the banes (the powers who fought for evil) were raised by Uncle and hate the new Rangers. The father of one of the children, Chimera (Ebook from Pocketstar) provides a clue. Flex, who used to stretch every part of her body, is recovering from massive burns and has limited stretch in her left had, leaving her feeling useless in any meta fight. I enjoyed the tale, even though I missed book three in the series. Review Printed in Philadelphia Weekly Press
February 18, 2014
Although this is a 'super-hero' novel, this was focused almost exclusively on dealing with feelings of trauma. The lead character, 'Flex', has the power to stretch her body, but that ability has been crippled in the wake of massive physical trauma and scarring. And while she's dealing with that, her emotions are stretched thin by her friends and loved ones' issues, and the problems of nearing a solid year of crises, with no chance to take stock. On the other hand, the romance felt somewhat incompletely developed. (The action scenes were pretty forgettable as well, but clearly that wasn't what the book was trying to focus on).
April 5, 2014
The fourth book in the MetaWars series is written from Renee's POV. While I have to admit that she's pretty much my least favourite character out of the "original" team, it was nice to get to know her a bit better and learn more about her past and what makes her tick. The story was fast-paced and rich in action and unexpected twists as always, making this another good read in a highly entertaining series.
January 31, 2014
Noooo! How could it end like that? I need more MetaWars novels very soon. This was a great read and it was eye-opening to finally get Renee's back story, which was wildly different from the others. All of the issues with the Overseer just seem to get even more complicated and they still have all the anti-Meta politics to worry about as well. This series is amazing and intense, and I will be impatiently waiting (and hoping) for a fifth book.
December 29, 2013
I really enjoy the MetaWars series. Derek (Chimera) and Renee (Flex) are both suffering but for very different reasons. Watching them each come to grips with their pasts was at times painful and sad but seeing them come out the other side made it worth it.
Can't wait for the next one.
March 14, 2014
There are so many weaknesses in the writing and plotting, and such a slow start, I want to give this 2 stars. But there is an underlying heart that keeps me reading. So I know I'll read the next. Hence the 3 stars.
October 15, 2013
This book was a little confusing because I haven't read the previous books in the series. This is a story of various human type characters with different powers. Earth is different as we know it. More to one in the series.
July 23, 2014
OMFG! LOVED IT!!
Want to read
August 20, 201308192013 - Recvd via Edelweiss & Pocket Star
Expected publication: November 11th 2013 by Pocket Star
Expected publication: November 11th 2013 by Pocket Star
June 28, 2014
There'd better be another book! I know Ms Meding has lost support from her publisher but I really hope she does like she did with Dreg City and writes and releases on her own!
December 11, 2014
You don't need to have your super powers to be a hero! This was my favourite MetaWars book so far. Loved it! Love how the Bane's are not the bad guys anymore.
September 4, 2015
I can't wait for the next book in this series
Shelved as 'books-own-umm'
May 30, 2018Renee
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