Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book

In the Company of Shadows #1 part 2

Evenfall: Volume 2: Director's Cut

Rate this book
In a post-apocalyptic future, the Agency works behind the scenes to take down opposition groups that threaten the current government. Their goals justify all means, even when it comes to their own agents.

In the newly revised Director's Cut of Evenfall, the second volume follows Sin and Boyd through a long-term undercover mission in Mexico. They think the hardest part will be maintaining their covers and handling their attraction while living in close quarters, but that's only the beginning of their newest trials.

When hard and fast decisions lead to catastrophic consequences, the two agents realize getting out of Mexico alive may be their biggest challenge yet.

Warnings: Explicit violence, sex, physical and psychological abuse.
120,000 words.

344 pages, ebook

First published September 21, 2014

80 people are currently reading
1157 people want to read

About the author

Ais

24 books743 followers
Hey! I write LGBTQIA+, usually with a twist. My solo works are mostly fantasy, sci-fi, supernatural, or similar. Currently working on Wildwood Rising, a long LGBTQIA+ fantasy series; first book written/being edited: Incarnations.

Helpful links? Helpful links!
-My masterlist of original writing: http://aisylum.com/writing-masterlist/
-Some of my favorite solo stories: https://archiveofourown.org/users/mik...
-My patreon- $1 for all but most things are eventually free for those who can't/won't pay: patreon.com/ais
-My site: http://aisylum.com

By the way, you may know me because I co-wrote In the Company of Shadows.

PS: I can be chatty so if you have questions, feel free to ask! Have a lovely day! <3

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
1,292 (52%)
4 stars
752 (30%)
3 stars
302 (12%)
2 stars
64 (2%)
1 star
32 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 291 reviews
864 reviews229 followers
Read
March 4, 2018


REVIEW REMOVED

How is it that we GR'ers will get up in arms and add to our AUTHORS BEHAVING BADLY shelves so easily (like when an author comes into our review space?), BUT, when an author TRULY is behaving badly, possibly illegally, but definitely unethically, we dismiss it and scream "Drama! I want nothing to do with drama!"?

I've been on GR a long time, and I get the aversion to drama. But this is SO. MUCH. WORSE.
Profile Image for Deborah.
3,836 reviews496 followers
February 9, 2017

Again wow.
This book was so much more than I ever expected it to be.
I'm not really sure what to say as nothing I say will come close to describing this book, how it made me feel and the extent to which I totally lost myself in it.
At first my main concern (because all said and done I'm a hopeless romantic) was the relationship between Sin and Boyd, would we ever get them where we want them, communicating and truly together it's frustrating as hell at times and it became obvious the mission in Mexico would make or break them as a couple.
I was so focused on this aspect of the book that the mission kind of snuck up on me. My genre is romance all kinds of romance and that's always without exception the priority for me, now don't get me wrong I like my romance wrapped in a good story but here the writing, the descriptions, secondary characters and just Sin and Boyd themselves managed to pull me into this story to the extent where I'd have kept reading regardless. At one point it looked bleak, okay at several points it looked bleak but I realised I was so into this book that even if the relationship fell away I'd still be reading and while you might think this is obvious it's the first time I remember it happening to me.
This mission is their most difficult yet and it makes for an agonising read at times, Sin and Boyd find themselves in Mexico set up in a crappy apartment Sin is expected to find a job and socialize with people after he's been isolated and treated like an abomination all his life, surely they must realise how difficult this would be for him but they just don't care.
Boyd is sent to evaluate the area and find escape routes, which is dangerous in itself when he's deep in drug territory.
Have I mentioned how much I hate the Agency?
After the scene in the first book when we encounter Sin in the box I didn't have a lot of love for the Agency, this got worse the more I read and in this book I positively hate the Agency and Connors in particular although it has to be said I have a long mental list of people I want to die and that again has never happened to me before. The treatment of their own agents is unbelievable and I wanted something dreadful to happen to a lot of them.
This book like the previous one is simply amazing, I only found it due to reviews on Goodreads, and while I know the authors are working on this series I hope they continue because this should be out there, it should be widely available so more people can read what is turning out to be an incredible series and I don't say this lightly, I also don't give 5* often or easily.

Profile Image for Ms. Smartarse.
698 reviews369 followers
October 31, 2020
Mexico: the place to let loose, indulge in life's forbidden pleasures, and reward the loyal reader who suffered through an inordinate amount of UST in volume 1.
Far enough from the Agency's threatening reach, yet close enough to other, much more dangerous, entities' claws, Sin and Boyd can finally relax. As soon as they're done complaining about Monterrey's sweltering July heat.

Barrio Antiguo de Monterrey
Old city of Monterrey

Luckily (for the frustrated reader) our two protagonists don't waste too much time to grant us a very explicit glimpse into their more heated encounters. And it's a testament to the authors' writing prowess, that despite looking forward to it the minute they set foot on Mexican soil, I was just as invested in all of Boyd's inner musings, with all his self doubt, self blaming, and random angry outbursts. If it hadn't been for other characters pointing out his lack of professionalism, I would have been ready to storm the Agency's HQ alongside him.

From the secondary characters, I very much enjoyed Kassian Trovosky's scenes, the Agency's only other level 10 agent. I sincerely adore every single snide comment that Sin may deign to throw at us, but Kassian's completely different approach to missions was a joy to get through. I'm sooo looking forward to meeting him again in Afterimage. Heck, I haven't been so keen to pair up a character, since my Harry Potter fanfiction craze.

Fangirling

Score: 4.8/5 stars

For about a week after finishing I couldn't concentrate on anything else. I felt so emotionally drained, that I just wanted to lose myself in Sin and Boyd-shaped fantasies. Their relationship brought to mind all those brilliantly written Harry/Draco fanfiction, that had me forget to live, if it meant I could read another chapter.

While it's not quite perfect, with plenty of boring scenes of Boyd casing out his surroundings, or the inexplicable fast-forward of the protagonists' post-mission meet up, not to mention all that Mexican slang that should've been linked as footnotes, it's been a long time since I got so excited about a series and its characters. Yay for my first 5-star read of the year!

=====================
Review of vol1 of book 1: Evenfall: Volume 1: Director's Cut
Review of book 2: Afterimage
Review of book 3:The Interludes
Review of book 4: Fade
Profile Image for Virginia Cavanillas.
Author 58 books191 followers
Read
March 9, 2018

Rated removed because of this:

http://riptidepublishing.com/a-statem...

https://www.goodreads.com/user_status...


Original review:

Superb. Masterfully written and absorbing as hell.
Reading this, I've felt like a teenager again. Fangirling, nervous and anxious to get more... And let me tell you, the feeling is amazing. I wish everybody  could feel these crazy butterflies just reading a book. Just once in their lives. Because this is something worthy to be experienced.

I loved book one since the first page. The dystopian future created by Santino & Ais got me since the begining. This second installment is completely different, though. Or at least that's how I've perceived it. Evenfall Director's Cut Vol. II is more personal, more intimate, based in the characters more than in the world building. Deeper in the feelings. Hard in the emotions.

Boyd

To me, the first 60% is completely characters based. You could said that what has been sketched in book one, is drawn and filled here in a masterful way.
Here we get to know our guys while  they are getting to know themselves, opening to each other, starting to live in the real world... and it's a beautiful thing to witness because everything is so perfectly developed that you can perceive them so clearly, you can almost see them.

It is like a good movie. Everything is very visual and well done. The plot is brilliant and Sin and Boyd are so well written that you can understand (even if you are not ok with their decisions, or you don't agree with their motivations) every step they take. Right or wrong. You are there with them.

You know when something is epic even if you have a lot to read yet. And this couple is.

Hsin

Where Vol I was sci-Fi, this is thriller. Where book one was miscommunication this is talking. Talking about torture, talking about scars, about shitty childhoods, sharing stories about shittier parents (the competition is even between bitches). There is still misundestunding and doubts, lots of them, but it it´s normal and understandable, because this is the begining. A super hot begining, I must say. These two together are totally my thing.

I loved how my Sin *audible sighs* is starting to live. Starting to interact with others, seeing they care about him, learning he is not the monster the agency says he is. He is smiling, he is even laughing and my inner teenager fell more in love with him in the process.

Boyd. My other boy. My insecure poor thing. Life has been hard with him too and all his actions are a reflection of this tough childhood and even worse teen years. I get him, even when I´m not liking him, I undestand where his insecurities come from.

Hsin

The new characters are also terrific. Not just outlined, they are as perfectly developed as the MCs are. And it has been a blast to get to know them. When everything started to change around 60% of the book and the story turns into action mode, I was so in to it I was hit by the fact I wasn't there with them. What an awesome experience. A total, total blast.
Mission accomplish Santino & Ais, my hubby and and kids are doing the "Puss on Boots" eyes thingy to get my attention again. Hsin & Boyd have all of it.

Special mention to finish this babling: good job with the Spanish. I'm not from Mexico, so I didn't know some of the words used here, but all the written accents were where they had to be and the syntax was pretty accurate. Very, very refreshing. Thank you for caring.

Book 3, let me grab a bottle of something and I´m yours!


<
Profile Image for Sammy Loves Books.
1,137 reviews1,681 followers
October 5, 2014
5 Beyond Freaking Amazing Stars!!!

Hsin Liu Vega (Sin)

sin



Sin doesn't fear much in life. But he does fear that his next mission with 'The Agency', will be his ultimate undoing. He will be required to live in a studio apartment with Boyd. And his infatuation with Boyd has become an obsession. He fears what will happen if he gives in to his deepest darkest desires.

He cupped the back of Boyd’s head and worshiped his mouth, tongue searing into him as if Sin was trying to memorize his taste and absorb his very soul. It was so all-consuming that Boyd’s knees weakened. He lost himself in the feel, smell, and taste of his partner.


Holy Freakin' Hottness! Hsin and Boyd are Sensual and Erotic on such a deep emotional level. These two had me ready to spontaneously combust!!


Boyd Beaulieu

boyd

Boyd finally has what he craves within his reach. He and Hsin can't keep their hands off each other. But what will happen when their undercover mission comes to an end. Boyd begins to doubt his importance to Sin. Maybe the sex is just convenient for Sin and means nothing. Boyd also becomes jealous of Sin's relationship with his sexy boss, Jessica. She has the total hots for Sin, and Sin seams to enjoy her company.


Jessica and Hsin (working at the club)
sin and jessica



“I’m a bad partner for you, Sin. I’m not professional when it comes to you. I care too much, I get jealous, and I think about you all the time. I—I fell in love with you and it’s going to make me do stupid things. I’ll put you in danger. And—” Boyd sucked in a shaky breath. “And I would rather die than hurt you.”



shower



Good Gah!! I Loved watching these two fall in love. And I love that neither of them are ashamed to show their feelings. There is shower scene that comes to mind and let me just say WOW!!


This book was Action packed, and Sexy as Sin!! These books are fast paced and cover a lot of detail without being too wordy. The secondary characters are amazing and I find myself craving more of them.

Boyd and Hsin are now permanently etched as one of my all time favorite M/M couples. They are both deeply scarred, vulnerable, and insecure. Yet they are beautiful, passionate, and total badasses!! They own a special part of my heart and I look forward to reading more about these two lovers.


My review of Evenfall Vol. 1 Director's Cut. Check it out ;o))
Profile Image for Cristopher.
55 reviews13 followers
August 29, 2016
4.5 STARS!

What. Did. I. Just. Read?!

EXPLOSIVE!
ACTION-PACKED!
HOT AND STEAMY!

I'm just gonna rant off my happiness, my frustration, my gripping moments in here because I can't seem to think of any good way to review this book that would give it any justice AT ALL!

I LOVE what happened in Mexico..

The way Sin have for the first time experienced how it is to be normal. It was just beautiful and thought provoking.. I mean, just how much we people tend to neglect the simplicity and freedom we have by living normally? I thought it would be impossible.. but Sin just managed to multiply my love for him over and over. The way he was reluctant and hesitant to the way people treated him.. endeared him to me in ways I can't explain. For the first time, he wasn't treated as an animal, a monster, a killer. Instead he was treated as a colleague, and a friend.

And Boyd.. I totally cheered for this guy! Despite of his insecurities, he took the risk and take it up to himself to move forward with his relationship with Sin. He was conflicted and reluctant most of the time but.. He finally man up and gave in.

The jealousy. The hot steamy sex. The steady way things are going between them. It was all written beautifully! Why did they have to fucking end?!

I wish they didn't have to leave Mexico and go back to the Agency. I was hoping their mission there would be extended..

But it did not. And all hell broke loose.

Man. One time I was swooning, the next I am needing someones hair to pull! I waaaas sooo enraged at what happened. I wanna punch Boyd for being.. Okay no spoiler.

And it just didnt end there. The story got more twisted and twisted. As things get rougher and rougher. It just wouldn't let me catch my breath.
Guns. Bullets. Bombs. Explosions. Dying.. It was damn crazy I thought I wouldnt make it out alive. I found myself always at the edge of my seat and my toes are curled, my fingernails nipped because I'm damn worried if our guys would make it out.

Thank goodness the authors did spare me. But only barely. I'm wondering now.. How am I gonna survive the rest?

“All that matters now is you’re here. We’re together. Partners again.”

Only one way to find out.
Afterimage.. Could you please, please be gentle with me?!

Profile Image for Wendys Wycked Words.
1,590 reviews3,953 followers
March 9, 2018
I know many are removing their ratings and reviews of all the books they have read, written by Santino Hassell, in light of his despicable behavior. I have deleted my ratings from all Santino books I have read, because I too am shocked and appalled!!! I won't do it with the ICOS series though. I am gonna be honest here and say, that this series is one of the best I have ever read, and I am sure Ais played a big part in my enjoyment. As far as I know, Ais had nothing to do with all that has happend. Until I hear otherwise, my ratings and reviews for this series, will stay up. I am sorry for those who might not agree with me on this. I would also like to say that I am so sorry for all of you who have been hurt....my heart goes out to all of you ;) xoxo


Really enjoyed it, though I stay with what I said before....I like the long versions better.

Again..my laziness will refer to my review of the other version of this book ;)

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Profile Image for Tara♥ .
1,694 reviews111 followers
Read
March 5, 2018
Yeah so I’m hooked. This was awesome. I can’t even with all the awesome that this was.

So the first half of this book filled me with happy gushy feelings! (Well for the most part.)



Mexico was a holiday from all the psychopaths for Sin and Boyd and oh the lovin!!

"Red sauce covered Boyd’s hands like blood and prevented him from doing anything to fix himself. “I didn’t mean to make such a mess, but now I’m covered in cascabel sauce.” Boyd held his hands out.

“Cascabel? What’s in it?”

Without waiting for an answer, Sin dipped his head down and sucked one of Boyd’s fingers into his mouth. Boyd’s heart nearly stopped.”


Yeah well I actually stopped breathing for a bit after I read that.

"Sin’s moody gaze fell on Boyd. But not at his face –those green eyes were doing a slow circuit of Boyd’s body before focusing on his ass.”

And everything that followed that caused me to lose the ability to speak for a good hour afterwards. Holy hotness batman.


But Sin and Boyd’s preparation time in Mexico lulled me into a false sense of security because when the shit hit the fan I was left feeling more than a little shell-shocked.

The second half of this book?

And it was EPIC!!!

I also learned lots of Spanish curse words. Some ones I feel I’ll be using most often are:
Baboso – Idiot (I think this will apply to many, many people I encounter on a daily basis but it will be used mostly on a Monday morning when I feel I’m surrounded.)
¡Cierra el pinche hocico! ¡Chingada madre! - Shut the fuck up! Motherfucker! (I really need to work on my pronunciation on this but I think it will be handy for the rare occasion I’m in the same vicinity as mouthy baboso.)
¡Cállate, cabrón! — Shut up, asshole! (See above)
No me chingues. — Don’t fuck with me. (For general everyday use)

See? Learning is fun!

I’ve been warned by a lot of people about what is to come in this series, much heartbreak and many tears I’m told. The time that Sin and Boyd spent in Monterrey is going to be my go to memory when things get tough. Things were not perfect but it almost felt like they both had a little bit of peace for the first time and Sin went and set up camp in my heart. Not only was he sweet and adorable (as well as dangerous and deadly) but he is also absolutely hilarious and his interactions with civilians were fantastic.



So I guess now the journey really begins. Or maybe it’s more now the trauma begins.


Profile Image for Dani.
138 reviews40 followers
September 24, 2017
This book enters in the category of books you can’t put down or books you can’t stop thinking about when you close your eyes before going to sleep.



In this still apocalyptic world, Sin and Boyd go to an undercover mission to México where both experience things that put their lives upside-down. What an adventure – I must say. Going to México with Sin and Boyd was a hell of a ride. I was on edge on my seat almost the whole book.

This second volume took a different approach in comparison to Volume one. We saw how this miscommunication elf didn’t stand a chance with Sin and Boyd wanting to work things out so they could live in ‘peace’ and be better partners to each other. You have no idea how happy I was seeing my boys talking to each other, sharing feelings, and memories. It was just what I needed. And learning what a sweet talker is Sin just killed me.

“You have no idea how much things have changed, how much you changed me and made my life worth a damn. Without you, there’s nothing.”


This journey added many obstacles in their way but at least something good came out of it and it was Boyd and Sin relationship, I said it in my Volumne’s 1 review: they’re good to each other. In this book, I saw how they become more intimate, how they started to support each other and how they unconsciously help each other to heal. That’s good, especially to Sin, who has never known love –which breaks my heart, btw– and Boyd is teaching him something precious. I know they’ll have more difficult moments in the future but I'm not worried about it because as Wendy told me ‘they are meant to be.’ (She said in a more poetic way but I can’t remember exactly her words)

This slow burn is undoubtedly my favorite. It’s certainly one of the best that someone had ever written and I can’t help but love it. The tension between them was so well built that got me on the edge until they finally got together and man…. There were explosions, sparkles, and fire!!!!!!

The writing was amazing as always and I really enjoyed the Spanish and French dialogues, they were amazingly written and they had the accents were where they should! So, well done Santino and Ais.



My only problem was that I couldn’t understand some Mexican's slang, (Vir had to google some of them because that shit ain’t easy unless you’re Mexican) and I can’t imagine how difficult and annoying were those dialogues for people who don't know Spanish/French.

To end my babbling, I just have to say that the way this book ended makes me uneasy because I know that bitch Vivien will make my life (and Boyd and Sin’s) miserable. Not to mention, that was the weakest HFN I’ve ever read!!!!!! But I’m so ready for what is coming next, I’m ready to suffer, to hate, to cry, to yell and to have my heart broken. Someone give me the booze, please!

Profile Image for Elise ✘ a.k.a Ryder's Pet ✘.
1,314 reviews3,104 followers
June 24, 2017
⋰⋱⋰⋱⋰⋱*Might contain spoilers?*⋰⋱⋰⋱⋰⋱

I am so...uncertain how I feel about this book/series. I completely struggled getting onto the book when I constantly had to stop to use Google Translate to understand the Spanish used, as it was not explained. The man who deserves so much better, assassin Hsin ‘ Sin’ Liu Vega (28? 29?) finally got a taste of how real life could've been. He and Boyd Beaulieu (20? 21?) are undercover in Mexico where they play ordinary people: Sin as a guard at a club and Boyd as an artist (not really a job, but it's his cover). On top of that, things are finally taking a deeper turn for Sin and Boyd emotionally towards each other. Overall, it was full of action, we finally got sort of a romance, and we got a deeper connecting with the characters. However, there's still that feeling that something's missing. Specially between Sin and Boyd. I think I need more from them... On to the next one. I also hope we get a friendship between the two 10 level/rank (?) agents...
“Life was easier when I was just expected to shoot people.”

Quick basic facts:
Genre: - (Adult) Science Fiction (?) - Romance (M/M)
Series: - Series, Book Two
Love triangle? -
Cheating? -
HEA? -
Favorite character? - Hsin ‘ Sin’ Liu Vega.
Would I read more by this author/or of series? - Unsure.
Would I recommend this book/series? - Unsure.
Will I read this again in the future? - No.
Rating - 2.5 stars.
Profile Image for Alex ✰ Comets and Comments ✰.
173 reviews2,921 followers
Read
July 5, 2017
"Boys who did not have the chance to live before the world armed them, and who don't know how to live now that the fighting is over."

Boyd oh Boyd..

I had to put this down once I hit chapter 12.
I couldn't get behind it as much as I did Vol I, and I fucking loved Volume I.

Don't get me wrong - the first half of what I read, was all the damn stars in the sky. Boyd and Sin have the sexual tension that I lust for in all romance books and Evenfall will always be one of my all time favorite novels. Maybe not this volume in particular, but it's the story that will stay with me, it's the story that counts.
description

I am not going to rate this, however - sometime soon, I will be picking up the Original version because I want to make my way through the series the way the original people who read this did. I want to get all the way to the end with no Directors Cut pitstops.

description
Profile Image for Amina .
1,317 reviews31 followers
December 6, 2023
✰ 3.5 stars ✰

“Boyd could not believe this was happening. The sight of Sin’s green eyes fastening on him, and only him, took Boyd’s breath away.

After a year of pushing each other away; a year of nothing but missions, fighting, and blood; of constant tension, fleeting looks, and never believing they would be this close…

They finally were.”


Even if Evenfall: Volume 2: Director's Cut didn't quite capture the emotional intensity of Sin and Boyd's relationship, I will never tire of revisiting the magic of Monterrey - the place where it all began. 🩶🤍

“Sin… I’m sorry if I said something I shouldn’t have. I just worry sometimes that everyone, including you, sees you as some sort of monster. But I don’t.

You’ll always be human to me.”


Am I going to keep this short and sweet, like this condensed version of the beauty that was the beautiful way in which they deepened their connection?. Hmmm, well, I could try. I am still just so amazed that the unedited works were able to hit so much more visceral than these watered down versions - so much felt missing, so many pivotal moments scraped, the depth of connection between the two main characters with the supporting cast felt lacking. 🙍🏻‍♀️

It upset and surprised me again at how it felt as if there was a hole where all that build-up to how much they experienced was toned down that it just failed to leave that much of an impression as it's original series did. 🤔 It just goes to show that all that excess details were significant - it helped tie the story together so well and make their chemistry all the more palpable. I missed the dialogues, the rivalry, the connection - but what I still rejoiced in was Monterrey - if I could I would live there forever. 🥹

“What happened to me was not your fault. So please just—just never fucking say you wish you had died. I couldn’t live if you died. I wouldn’t want to.”

“Why?” Boyd whispered. “After everything that happened to you, how could you say that?”

“Because you’re… you….” Frustration swelled up and strangled Sin; trapping the words he wanted to say. He had never said any of this aloud. Never explained to Boyd just how important he had become.

“You fixed me. You don’t believe it, but it’s true. Before I knew you I had never… never really had a conversation. Never had a friend. Never believed anyone could be close to me. I would still be locked in my own fucking head believing I couldn’t be anything but crazy if it wasn’t for you.

And if you were gone, I wouldn’t want to be in this shitty world anymore.”


a

I just love them here - I love the hesitant unsure steps Sin takes to express his emotions - 'I don’t know how to explain it. You grew on me, and I wanted to know things about you. I wanted to understand you.' I love the confidence Boyd starts to voice how much he likes having Sin near him - his desire to claim him - 'Repeatedly. I need it right now like I need air. And I want it so fucking hard that I lose my mind the way I always do— trying so hard to keep quiet… but I always get loud.' 🤌🏻🤌🏻 When they fight and argue, the tension is radiating from either of them so loudly that when they finally find their own way - came together - became as one - you can feel the heat around the corner with how hard and fast they were falling - clawing for each other. I'm just so happy when they finally make their moves - when they let go of their restraints - all their touches - ah, if it's something to make me heady with the anticipated rush of what's to come - it's the memory of reading this build-up for the first time. ☺️

It's a wild ride reliving it, but I soaked it up with even more enjoyment - and the spice was on a whole other level - delicious and fiery like a scorching flame. 'You’re so gorgeous,” he uttered. The words lit additional flames under the inferno blazing inside of Boyd {...} He needed release. He needed everything.' ❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥 I can't count how many times I fanned myself, because gosh - I felt the heat - gosh, Boyd realizing how much Sin is starting to care for him, Sin accepting that Boyd was able to change him, that final nose dive into each other's arms.

“But that was Monterrey. It’s different here. I’m… different here.”

Boyd pulled back to see Sin. “What do you mean?”

Sin shrugged. “I’m the monster and whatnot, right?”

“Not to me.”


I liked that they kept certain parts - although one major part I sorely missed, which kinda made their connection a little less important, in my opinion. 😞 I still love that they talked it out - that they aren't afraid to say what they mean, despite the hurt. It does hurt knowing what entails their relationship after these events, and I did appreciate that some of the torture was dimmed down, but still. Nothing holds a candle to how this volume covers the start to an explosive and life-altering romance - one that I will always look back on with much fondness. 🥰
Profile Image for Ariana  (mostly offline).
1,680 reviews96 followers
February 5, 2017
OMG. Dumbfounded.
There was more action in this than in all James Bond and Jason Bourne movies together. Just trying to recover here...

First of all - Mexiko was HEAVEN. After a LOT of fabulous UST (I might have shouted something incoherent at Sin at one point...) Boyd and Sin finally got their act together. Well, it was down to Boyd to take the rein and just go for it! I loved that scene so much, and God it was explosive when they finally finally found each other.
But most importantly in this book - they TALK to each other. That is a most pleasant and welcome development. They speak about feelings and what happened before and resolve some of the stuff they've been pondering about. And we get to know both men a lot better, too.
I think the most amazing thing to happen is that Sin finds out that he is able to thrive amongst other people, and, that taken away the horrible prejudice thrown at him at Lexington, he can function ok as a 'normal' human being. He is socially so insecure it did my heart in. I just wanted to hold his hand and tell him that none of this was his fault. (Not that he would have appreciated that *g*)

And Boyd? I'm not sure what he was actually doing during this mission, apart from meeting potentially dangerous people. I do wonder whether any of the 'villains' he comes across will have significance in the later books. Apart from that - Boyd is having some of his best and worst times in this book - and no I'm not giving away anything - this would really be too much of a spoiler.

But most amazingly - there was humour in this. Ok, it might be slightly on the dark side, but ... who can resist a line like this? Sin on his sexual 'expertise':

"But maybe it seems like I know what I'm doing because I've been thinking about it for a long time."
"How long?" (Boyd)
"Eight months. Give or take a massacre or assassination."


And then there is the cooking scene! It doesn't get cuter than that!

On the other end of the scale there is a lot of violence - a LOT of it, and it is achingly painful at times. My horror relating to the Fourth remains and I keep asking myself why any agency who wants to keep their employees acts like it does.

The ending throws up an array of questions.... hope we do get some answers in the next book.
Again - I couldn't put this down. And Boyd and Sin are slowly becoming a solid item. I just can't help thinking that it's not going to stay that way....

Excellent read!

Highly recommended!
Profile Image for Ami.
6,238 reviews489 followers
Read
March 10, 2018
** RATING IS REMOVED, BECAUSE REASONS.

http://riptidepublishing.com/a-statem...

https://twitter.com/dreamspinners/sta...

Original Review stays under spoiler tag because Goodreads is first and foremost *my* record of reading activities, and the fiasco doesn't change the fact that I've read this book **


Profile Image for Cristina.
Author 38 books108 followers
Read
March 11, 2018
WARNING

With ICoS things are more complicated due to Ais' great work that should be acknowledged and preserved, so I've decided to scratch out all mentions of SH from them and to leave them standing, at least for the time being.

ORIGINAL REVIEW

ICoS #1 part #2 DC were a full immersion into dystopian fiction, stifling passions, intrigue and action.

Evenfall #1 introduces us to the series' main characters, special agents Sin and Boyd, by providing some crucial details on their backstory without ever giving too much away. Sin is violent and unstable, considered by many a dangerous sociopath whilst Boyd is detached and emotionless. Their partnership begins as an improbable - and probably doomed to failure - experiment at the hands of the ruthless Agency for which they both work. Against all odds, however, Sin and Boyd find in each other a degree of attention and connection that rekindles their lost sense of humanity.

If ICoS part #1 is a slow burner during which Sin and Boyd get tentatively close only to shatter apart in front of things unsaid and unexpressed emotions, the second part of volume 1 speeds up the pace of their relationship in an eventful and highly satisfying manner. By the end of the volume, their connection is solid and unbreakable.

The world imagined by Hassell and Ais is a disturbing dystopian reality with noir touches. Part Mad Max , part Blade Runner and part Akira , it combines crime tropes such as the secret agents, the drug cartels and the undercover missions, with elements of sci-fi - especially in the sections taking place on the infamous Fourth Floor and in the subtle nudges to the idea of body manipulation and genetic engineering - and with visuals, such as the Agency's Tower, that recall a number of cyberpunk anime and manga (the background of the authors in the world of Yaoi and manga fandom is clearly visible here).

The two main characters, the story and the atmosphere in the books are all so intense and interesting that I found it hard to unglue myself from the novels and I'm now looking forward to reading the other three instalments.

Highly recommended!
Profile Image for Bárbara.
1,210 reviews82 followers
August 27, 2017
I'll probably say this in every review for every installment for this series, okay? But bear with me: I CAN'T BELIEVE IT TOOK ME SO LONG TO READ THIS. To be fair, in equal measure as she is responsible for me reading it, blame it on Sasha also for this long ass delay: see, we have a history of her recs going less than stellar with me and, in case you haven't noticed, this is a series! So I just knew once I gave in to book 1 I just couldn't drop the rest of the books if the first one didn't work.

ANYWAY, after the (un)necessary contextualization/ infodump for this reading experience, let me say this: I. FRIGGIN. LOVED. THIS.

The story didn't only consist of a gripping, page-turning plot -one of those with some moments when you become the "I have no idea what's going on but I'm excited"gif thing; it was also very rich in the character department: not only were our main guys incredibly well-crafted and complex as fuck (sorry not sorry there's no other way to properly illustrate this), but also the secondary characters were treated with the same care (in scale, of course, but still). I'm always here for amazing characters, so I was *SO* here for the elements in this book.

I'm basically considering Vols. 1 and 2 as a whole book, so I feel allowed to say that I really liked how the narrative flowed in the whole book in the sense that, the first part was more focused on the character building department (not saying the plot was neglected, cause it so wasn't), and then once we had a clear picture of the characters, then vol. 2 could open the way for a more plot-heavily driven arc (which, again, isn't to say that the character aspect was pushed to the side). There was a very careful balance there (which I'm not sure it was intentional or not, but at this point I don't care that much, beyond the fact that, however it came to be, IT WORKS), and it all made the reading experience incredibly pleasing.

On the downside (and even though I loved this more than I expected to, I still have to mention this part), I cannot give it 5 stars because- even though this is an improved work and all- the editing was still slightly lacking. It wasn't terrible, mind you, but there were many things that were too easy to spot and somehow distracting.

I still thoroughly enjoyed this, regardless of my complains about editing and such, so the fact remains that I'm very much looking forward to start book 2.

Profile Image for Christelle.
808 reviews
October 1, 2016
BR with my bestie Karen and with our lovely stalker Josy, while Jewel is so out of our sight (can’t beat her reading skills, we gave up trying, but she’s still there in our mind)

Second part of installment #1 of the ICoS series (not a standalone at all) : 4.5 stars

Still in this post-apocalyptic world where the Agency secretly operates for the government, our 2 agents Boyd and Sin are sent for several months on a mission in Mexico to prepare a covert operation, meanwhile blending among the population and living together.
This mission is totally life-changing for both of them on so many levels, and not only because the mission didn’t end exactly as planned, and I guess I totally felt in love with both of them. It’s raw, it’s pure madness, but I loved it, loved how Sin and Boyd thrive, both together and both on their own.
What I will remember from this part : Boyd’s cooking abilities, Sin’s stunning afterglow capabilities, Boyd’s flirting (well rewarded), how desperate I was when .
Oh, let’s not forget the nagging needs to stab so many characters (I’m not usually a violent person, but here,…Karen and I made a “hit-list”, a very, very, very long list), me wanting to slap Boyd and Sin’s heads out of their mind so many times.
So yes, it went a little bit out of my comfort zone (not doing great with so much violence and torture), but it’s gripping, addictive, …so I jumped right to the next installment : “Afterimage”.

And I dare to say that I'm a real fan of Sin, the gloriously fucked-up Sin :-)
Profile Image for ⊱ Poppy ⊰.
341 reviews294 followers
September 28, 2016
HELL YEAH IT WAS P-E-R-F-E-C-T. EVERYTHING WAS PERFECT.
Moving on to next book in this series.

IT WAS SOOOOOO GOOD!!

P.S The attack on "The Agency" made me bite my nails till the end. Its was so suspenseful, thrilling, full of action. Bombs, guns, dead bodies, grenades, snipers, dark .. yumm!! :D

P U R E
P E R F E C T I O N
Profile Image for Jaime.
1,801 reviews309 followers
December 1, 2016
Hell yeah! It's gettin' hot in here!! 5 Stars!

Profile Image for Irina.
409 reviews68 followers
January 26, 2015
Dark, violent and ruthless. But I loved it!



In my head, I could easily picture the main characters and the world they lived survived in. It doesn't happen often for some reason. Most of the times the images are blurry, but this was like watching a movie. The only thing missing was some popcorn.

I wasn't planning on undertaking such a long journey and commit myself to one couple only but I want to devour the rest of the series as soon as possible. Sin and Boyd had won me over. I stayed up a few nights in a row turning pages, not even checking my progress. As lengthy as this book consisting of two parts is, it was a compelling and easily-read one to me. I've found a new favourite series at last!

***4.6 stars***

Thank you, Sofia, for reading it with me. If you hadn't nudged me, I would've kept it on my shelf for God knows how long! <3
Profile Image for Desinka.
301 reviews55 followers
December 23, 2014
I liked Evenfall Vol. 2 Director's Cut slightly less than I liked Vol. 1. So far best thing about the series are the main characters - Sin and Boyd. I don't find them particularly realistic but I like them a lot nonetheless. Their relationship was quite well done.

This was a very engaging read despite the improbable storyline and the sparse world building. Normally, I don't expect much in the way of verisimilitude when it comes to secret or whatever agents in my romances so I don't gt annoyed when things don't entirely make sense. The great thing of this series was that it kept me on edge and I was so involved with it I couldn't put it down.

I'm a bit wary about the next installment as I found the original, unedited version harder to read. Still, I can't wait to start!
Profile Image for Simone - on indefinite hiatus  -.
751 reviews40 followers
Read
March 9, 2018
Rating removed!

This book put me through the wringer.

How I will manage to survive the whole series is beyond me at the moment, but backing out is no longer an option. Well, being honest with myself, it never was. In the Company of Shadows is my newest obsession and it tops everything I have read so far.

Part 2 of the Director's Cut of Evenfall started nice and easy enough, with Sin and Boyd developing a real relationship during an assignment in Monterrey, Mexico. I loved their change of personality while being away from the Agency, especially Sin's. He opened up to other people and he even managed to get more relaxed.



Okay, the latter turned out to be a problem, but I can't say more, because I don't want to give too much away. Don't get me wrong, even in this part of the book there were scenes where my heart skipped a beat and I almost teared up, but it was nothing compared to what happened next when all hell broke loose.

From this moment on, the story was thrilling and action-packed, but also heart-wrenching. There was hardly time to breathe, my heart leapt into my throat and my pulse skyrocketed. In my review about part 1 I said that it felt like my heart got ripped out of my chest and shredded into small pieces. This was once again the case, but this time it even got stomped on. Especially one scene made me cry myself into sleep, because there was so much cruelty and all I could think of was “How can they do this to their own people?”



I believe, this was mentioned in other reviews, too, but since it is the truth, I can only repeat it: the writing style of the whole story was so vivid, it was like watching a movie and you won't want to miss this!!!

I can't recommend it high enough!!!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 291 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.