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Beyond #9
Beyond Surrender
The final book in the bestselling, award-winning series...
She's the heart of O'Kane liquor.
He's the brains of the revolution.
They're facing a war that could end their world. Again.
On December 13th, the Beyond series comes to its climactic conclusion with Nessa and Ryder's story--and the final battle between the sectors and Eden.
She's the heart of O'Kane liquor.
He's the brains of the revolution.
They're facing a war that could end their world. Again.
On December 13th, the Beyond series comes to its climactic conclusion with Nessa and Ryder's story--and the final battle between the sectors and Eden.
279 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 13, 2016
113 people are currently reading
911 people want to read
About the author
Kit Rocha
70 books2,648 followersOnce upon a time, two best friends decided to write paranormal romance. And while that was awesome, they also sometimes wanted to write insanely dirty stuff that wasn’t paranormal at all. This is that stuff.
Kit Rocha is the dystopian-erotic-romance writing alter-ego of writing duo Moira Rogers.
Kit Rocha is the dystopian-erotic-romance writing alter-ego of writing duo Moira Rogers.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 222 reviews
May 30, 2020
Edit 12/5/2020: So, almost the end of my re-read of this series minus some novellas I believe.
And my opinion did not change much from the first time reading this.
The couple is not really working for me, it's too out of nowhere and bit too "need one more book, so, who are the still single characters in this series?"
I totally was skipping some of their scenes together.
But I was totally here for the "war" story arc. Plus I enjoyed the POVs by different characters than Nessa and Ryder.
Maybe this should have been just a closing book without any new couple introduced? Anyway, after how bad the previous book was, I did enjoy this one.
However, judging this series as a whole, they lose a re-readability after book six, at least for me.
Original:
***Advance Review Copy generously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
Well, that was a long night.
The romance/ the couple is not my favourite from the whole series. I loved Nessa from the first moment she came to the scene like a tornado of unicorn rainbow. I was a bit worried when we met Ryder that he gonna have some angle. Which he had but different than I expected as we found in previous books. But this book was about something else. It is more focused on solving the war with Eden. I expected many things how Kit gonna solves the war. I expected everything. But I was not prepared that Kit is not gonna spare anyone.
So I was not able to stop reading until I was finished, but then with last chapters, I was afraid to finish because I loved this series for so long that I did not want to finish.
We got glimpses of our old and loved couples. And I hope that we are gonna get some extras and little novellas to revisit them. Because I got so many questions and scenes I would love to see.
I am really glad that we gonna get another series about Sector One, but I really hope that characters from this series will reappear.
And my opinion did not change much from the first time reading this.
The couple is not really working for me, it's too out of nowhere and bit too "need one more book, so, who are the still single characters in this series?"
I totally was skipping some of their scenes together.
But I was totally here for the "war" story arc. Plus I enjoyed the POVs by different characters than Nessa and Ryder.
Maybe this should have been just a closing book without any new couple introduced? Anyway, after how bad the previous book was, I did enjoy this one.
However, judging this series as a whole, they lose a re-readability after book six, at least for me.
Original:
***Advance Review Copy generously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
Well, that was a long night.
The romance/ the couple is not my favourite from the whole series. I loved Nessa from the first moment she came to the scene like a tornado of unicorn rainbow. I was a bit worried when we met Ryder that he gonna have some angle. Which he had but different than I expected as we found in previous books. But this book was about something else. It is more focused on solving the war with Eden. I expected many things how Kit gonna solves the war. I expected everything. But I was not prepared that Kit is not gonna spare anyone.
So I was not able to stop reading until I was finished, but then with last chapters, I was afraid to finish because I loved this series for so long that I did not want to finish.
We got glimpses of our old and loved couples. And I hope that we are gonna get some extras and little novellas to revisit them. Because I got so many questions and scenes I would love to see.
I am really glad that we gonna get another series about Sector One, but I really hope that characters from this series will reappear.
May 13, 2017
The perfect end to an unforgettable series.
The final book.
Wow after so many years I'm not sure how I feel about finally saying goodbye to the O'Kanes and that's the reason I've pushed back reading this, I just couldn't bring myself to read the last book but with 'Gideon's Riders' on the horizon I felt it was beyond time I plucked up the courage to read this and say goodbye.
This book was everything I wanted and more, for me it was by far the best so far and the perfect end to what has been an unforgettable series.
Now I have to say I don't give 5* often or easily and looking back only Beyond Control was given this rating.
I love the O'Kanes and their hedonistic debauchery but I've felt that some of the books just had too much sex. I know, that's right I said it, too much sex. For me the balance was wrong, don't get me wrong I love a hot read and all these books have all given us that but in some the balance was off, when you have a story as good as this it needs to be told and this book got the balance and everything else just right, it was perfect and I wouldn't change a thing.
I can't begin to explain how fabulous this book was, as always we have the hot romance this time it's Ryder and Nessa. He's the head of Sector 5 and the brains of the revolution and she's the O'Kanes princess and the Heart of O'Kane liquor. Their relationship plays out amidst the battle with Eden, the Sectors are united and there can be no going back from this. Eden is ruthless led by the devil incarnate Peterson and the question is who will be left standing at the end?
There's loads of reviews written far better than I could so I'll just say again how much I loved this and that it deserved my 5* and more, so much more.
I read this book through kindle unlimited but I think I'm going to have to actually purchase this since it's definitely one I'll read again and again.
####
I've just done a re-read before I finally start Ashwin.
The final book.
Wow after so many years I'm not sure how I feel about finally saying goodbye to the O'Kanes and that's the reason I've pushed back reading this, I just couldn't bring myself to read the last book but with 'Gideon's Riders' on the horizon I felt it was beyond time I plucked up the courage to read this and say goodbye.
This book was everything I wanted and more, for me it was by far the best so far and the perfect end to what has been an unforgettable series.
Now I have to say I don't give 5* often or easily and looking back only Beyond Control was given this rating.
I love the O'Kanes and their hedonistic debauchery but I've felt that some of the books just had too much sex. I know, that's right I said it, too much sex. For me the balance was wrong, don't get me wrong I love a hot read and all these books have all given us that but in some the balance was off, when you have a story as good as this it needs to be told and this book got the balance and everything else just right, it was perfect and I wouldn't change a thing.
I can't begin to explain how fabulous this book was, as always we have the hot romance this time it's Ryder and Nessa. He's the head of Sector 5 and the brains of the revolution and she's the O'Kanes princess and the Heart of O'Kane liquor. Their relationship plays out amidst the battle with Eden, the Sectors are united and there can be no going back from this. Eden is ruthless led by the devil incarnate Peterson and the question is who will be left standing at the end?
There's loads of reviews written far better than I could so I'll just say again how much I loved this and that it deserved my 5* and more, so much more.
I read this book through kindle unlimited but I think I'm going to have to actually purchase this since it's definitely one I'll read again and again.
####
I've just done a re-read before I finally start Ashwin.
November 28, 2016
"O'Kane for life!"
I am really sad to see this series end. It's a bittersweet feeling, for sure. And just like the other 8 books in the Beyond series, this one is action packed! I am happy that we have a spin-off series to look forward to, though. Bring it on!
What I love about this series, is that the women do not damsel. They're strong, self assured, and fight and play just as hard as the men. Also, the men are not emasculated by having such strong women around. They revel in it. And that has been what has kept me coming back for more with this series.
Beyond Surrender is not a standalone book, at all. Do not start here! You really do need to start with Beyond Shame. Though each book features a different couple, the main story arc runs trough the whole series and it needs to be read sequentially.
Now to the good stuff. Nessa and Ryder. They've been dancing around each other for a bit, now and well, their time has finally come. And it is delicious!
Nessa has been pretty much untouchable for the whole series. She's known Dallas her whole life and she is like a little sister to him. He protects her fiercely. Nessa learned the art of making whiskey from her grandfather and she keeps, not only Sector Four in liquor, but pretty much all the Sectors. She's the best there is.
And Ryder, well, he was raised to be a warrior, to lead a revolution. And he's not had time for much else. He's been running Sector Five and he's teamed up with Dallas O'Kane to take on Eden. Ryder is very focused. Very disciplined. Very passionate. And all those qualities come into play with Nessa, as well as the war with Eden.
Ryder and Nessa are so so hot together. Another thing I love about this series is the heat. Wowza. They also compliment each other. Nessa is softer, she isn't a fighter. And Ryder, needs that contrast to his own life. They both go after what they want, though, and the result is Kindle melting. And while neither of them want to make promises in the middle of a war with no certain outcome, they also cannot deny their connection.
The rest of the story arc that began in Beyond Shame is finishing here. Things have been heating up between Eden and the Sectors for the past few books and one way or another, it will resolve. Eden has the tech and so much power. Their problem, though, is that they rely too much on their arrogance and their tech and forget about just how hard people will fight for their survival. The Sectors might be full of rag-tag people, but they are not weak. And they know sacrifice. They're not going to go down easily. And the one thing Eden didn't count on was the Sectors uniting. They are fierce!
I was at the edge of my seat for the last half of the book, especially. I can't lie to you, it feels brutal and uncertain. And I don't recall any of the other books reducing me to tears, but Beyond Surrender sure did. War is savage and the losses cut deep.
One thing I can pretty much guarantee you -- if you're a fan of this series, you're going to LOVE Beyond Surrender. And you will cheer, and rage, and cry, and above all, hope.
----------------------------
ARC of Beyond Surrender was generously provided, by the authors, in exchange for an honest review.
June 19, 2017
4 Wasted Chances Stars.
The lights are out and Eden is dark…. The war has come and things will never be the same. The sectors are united and it is all or nothing in this final instalment.
Nessa the princess of O’Kane liquor has lived a very secluded life growing up in the sectors. She is a big part of the O’Kanes but for everything that has been happening in the series Nessa is very naïve.
Nessa has been burnt in the past. She was only used for the knowledge she had of making booze. Since then she hasn’t given any man more than she has wanted to give. Even if it is just a steamy night but all changes with one sector leader.
No dangerous men for her. No matter how much they made the butterflies dance.
Jim Jerrigan groomed a revolution in a person, a rebel, a leader Michael Ryder to lead the sectors to victory. Ryder is now the leader of sector five he never wanted to be but he is part of the rebellion. With the little black murder book that has been passed down shite is about to get real. He is the golden child.
There is no room for mercy. Brutality at its finest and I loved every moment of it. The one constant in the storm? Nessa and Ryder finding to one another. Although Nessa caves.
“Do it. Ruin all my rationalizations. Ruin me.”
For all their differences Nessa and Ryder are similar. They are both lonely. They both do things that are a given and expected and not wanted. After the war they can get to dream. They are one another’s beacon yet what to do once it is all over?
“Close your eyes and dream, Ryder.” "I don’t know how,” he confessed. She touched his cheek. “I’m good at dreaming. I can come up with ten dreams right now […] “I’m an O’Kane princess. I never run out of dreams.”
I was fucking ecstatic to read this book but also scared shitless because I wanted the book , the couple and the end of the series to live up to my expectations what we get from Kit Rocha. My wants, needs and expectations for this book and the end of the series was epic. I loved nearly every single moment of it. I laughed, I cried and I got all sentimental about all the couples, the loss the pain and the grief. The sex scenes aren’t as freely as in the previous books but these ladies do know how to write sex, emotions. As mine were all over the place.
All the loose ends are tied up. IMO. The ending bittersweet but leaves so much more room for more.
Review can be found @ http://jerisbookattic-reviewblog.blog...
January 5, 2017
Part of the MacHalo Reading Challenge 2017 edition. A book celebrating diversity.
I've been waiting for this book for what seems like ages! The previous book ended with the opening salvos of a war that was long in coming. A Revolution that could claim the lives of so many including the characters I have grown to care for. And while I enjoyed the romance budding between Nessa and Ryder I was much more interested in seeing whether the revolution would succeed and at what cost. More than once I was scared that one of the O'Kanes will dies and eventually the inevitable happened. It would be unrealistic for all of them to make it through. But that's okay because it just make the book better, more intense and real.
This is the final book in the series. The story of the O'Kanes has been told and I will miss them. There's a spin off series starting soon so I guess I'll get updates on their lives now that Eden is finished. For a series that started off as a sexy stress relief this ended up surprisingly interesting and with an engaging plot beyond my expectations.
December 12, 2016
4.5 in love stars
Wow what an exciting,fantastic and special ride,i can't be we're at the end of the line and i really don't know whether to sob or cheer.
Kit Rocha created one of the most thrilling and interesting words i've ever read about and i'm so happy that i stumbled upon their books.
This book was no exception,i smiled and i cried (I hate you Kit) and i cheered and fell in love with all the characters all over again.
I loved Nessa,her spunk and her love for her family were beautiful to witness.
Ryder was interesting and i had fun watching Nessa chipping away at touch exterior,they complemented and challenged each other at the same time.
I didn't give it the full 5 starts because i felt that what was happening outside of the couple took over too much and made me miss them together.
Anyway i couldn't have asked for a most appropriate and perfect ending to one of my fav series.I'm getting emotional just thinking about all this.
I can't wait for the next book so Thank you Kit Rocha for this and for being so awesome with us fans.
My Ryder and Nessa
*ARC generously provided by the author*
Wow what an exciting,fantastic and special ride,i can't be we're at the end of the line and i really don't know whether to sob or cheer.
Kit Rocha created one of the most thrilling and interesting words i've ever read about and i'm so happy that i stumbled upon their books.
This book was no exception,i smiled and i cried (I hate you Kit) and i cheered and fell in love with all the characters all over again.
I loved Nessa,her spunk and her love for her family were beautiful to witness.
Ryder was interesting and i had fun watching Nessa chipping away at touch exterior,they complemented and challenged each other at the same time.
I didn't give it the full 5 starts because i felt that what was happening outside of the couple took over too much and made me miss them together.
Anyway i couldn't have asked for a most appropriate and perfect ending to one of my fav series.I'm getting emotional just thinking about all this.
I can't wait for the next book so Thank you Kit Rocha for this and for being so awesome with us fans.
My Ryder and Nessa
*ARC generously provided by the author*
June 14, 2019
FUCKING PERFECTION. That's how you end a series.
December 18, 2016
Originally posted at Smexybooks-http://smexybooks.com/2016/12/joint-r...
Reviewed by Mandi & Tori
Beyond Surrender is the ninth and last installment in Kit Rocha’s Beyond series. Nessa, O’Kane princess and ruler of the distillery, finds her sanity and strength tested when she falls for the one man whose only goal is to see Eden fall. The sectors are going to war and nothing will ever be the same again.
This post apocalyptic series has been a favorite of Smexy Books since its first installment, Beyond Shame, was released in 2012. This dark post apocalyptic world revolves around a walled utopian city-Eden-where the rich and elite live and the outcasts who live outside the walls who have divided the city into gang controlled sections. Heavily character drive, the arc focuses mainly on Sector Four-the O’Kanes. As the series has expanded, we meet the other sectors, their rulers, and the war that is brewing between Eden and the sectors. It’s all rather bittersweet to see the series coming to an end though Rocha has confirmed that their spin-off, Gideon’s Riders, will release its first installment March 2017.
Beyond Surrender is Neesa and Ryder’s story. Nessa, the genus behind the O’Kane Distillery, has been with Dallas since the very beginning. Her family worked for his on his family’s farm in TX. Dallas left the farm to seek his own way and when things got rough on the farm, Nessa and her grandfather followed. All grown up now, Nessa is considered the princess of the O’Kane family and protected like one.
Ryder has been preparing for war for a long time. When his mentor, Jim, was killed, Ryder took Jim’s diary that is a goldmine of information, and became the new leader of Sector Five. Ryder turns up in Sector Four though, to be an ally for Dallas and his leadership. Dallas and company have been preparing for war for a long time and they are ready to proceed. It’s here that Ryder meets Nessa, and there is a definite chemistry between them.
Tori, let’s first talk about Ryder and Nessa’s relationship. I felt it was more quiet than the romances in other books. They had eyes only for each other – and while it was still intense, it was less chaotic. I liked that – since their world was erupting around them.
Tori: I agree. The romance is softer, more intimate, and though it definitely doesn’t hold the erotic edge that we have seen with previous couples, it still maintains a strong hold on the story. Their contrasts-Nessa’s impulsiveness and Ryder’s calm, steady nature-play off one another perfectly. Nessa shows Ryder how to dream beyond his mission while Ryder gives Nessa the dominance and security she craves. Nessa has spent her life unsure if men want her for her or for her connections to Dallas. Ryder doesn’t need anything from her. Not her skills or not her connections. This exhilarates and scares Nessa.
“She’d always wondered what made women bolt like terrified pray in the face of that look. If a hot guy knew what he was doing with his dick wanted to get busy, why wouldn’t you jump on and ride?
Now she got it. Arousal might have made her wet enough to squirm, but the flutter in her chest was closer to panic then excitement.
[…]
Oh yeah. She got it now, why women ran. She also knew that running got you chased.”
Their interactions are infrequent, making the time they do have together more intense as they take advantage. Ryder and Nessa both have their respective roles to play with Ryder on the front lines and Nessa staying behind to man the home fires so to speak. I loved the sense of danger that surrounds them-the possibility of death and the reactions of the O’Kane men who see Nessa as their baby sister.
“As soon as Ace and Jas and Dallas find out, they’re going to make it weird. They always make it weird.”
The romance blends well with the conflict. Rocha jumps right into the fray with no lead up, putting us right up against the wall with our favorite characters. We’ve been waiting for this since book one and I felt Rocha delivers as intended. Allies and enemies alike have played a long game and the time has come to pay the piper. Rocha doesn’t hold back and keep readers in their safe places. War is hell and this writing duo unapologetically shows us the hell the sectors go through to win back their lives and freedom. What did you think Mandi? Were you happy with the way the conflict played out?
Mandi: There was a lot of pressure on this book to deliver a solid HEA for our main couple, but to also deliver on the build up of this war, and to check in on everyone that we have met through the series. It was a lot, but the authors made it all flow so smoothly. One criticism I’ve had with this series is that we don’t always see the violent acts committed outside of Sector Four, and to understand the danger and be immersed in this world, I think experiencing the horrible acts is important for the reader. Not that I enjoy war, but in this book the authors do present it to us and it was a nice payoff. Although I almost had a heart attack when a certain sexy man went down. Good thing when Rocha gives us a HEA, it STAYS a HEA. I did think the first half was a little slow, but maybe that was because I was anticipating the end.
Another thing I enjoyed, not only in this book but the series in general, is Dallas’s rise to power and how others perceived his power. He doesn’t ooze finesse, quite the opposite actually, but he knows how to earn respect. Ryder had been groomed to be the leader of the sectors, and instead of working against Dallas or holding a grudge, he contributes to the war efforts without causing a headache for Sector Four. Dallas is also my absolute favorite character in this series (well – Dallas and Lex) so everyone better bow down! *wink*
Tori: This for me was one of the best scenes. We have watched Dallas and Lex grow within their positions and in here they actually give voice to the changes they’ve made as leaders, O’Kanes, and lovers. I have always found it fascinating that Lex and Dallas are always Declan and Alexa to one another-as if they need that separation between them and the sector.
“I love you, Alexa,” he murmured against her lips. “So let’s settle down and rule our den of sin.”
“For life, Declan.”
Mandi: Up next is a spin-off series, titled Gideon Riders (you spend a little time with them in this book) and they will take us to Sector One. The first book will be Ashwin and Kora and wow did they have some intense scenes in this book.
Even watching for it, Cruz didn’t see the explosion coming.
One second, they were on opposite sides of the alley. The next, Ashwin was slamming Cruz into the brick wall hard enough to know the wind out of him. Ashwin’s hand closed around his throat, pushing him up onto his toes, and his rational mask shattered. “Where is she?”
Oh boy. Their story is going to be HOT.
Are you excited, Tori?
Grade: B
Tori: Excited may not quite be the word for what I’m feeling. I’ve been completely obsessed with Ashwin since first meeting him. A genetically altered soldier who’s become so obsessed with a woman to the point where he needs to hide her from HIM? WHAAA???
They were both what their creators had intended. Perfectly formed tools meant for a single purpose. Trying to change that was a futile act that led to malfunction. He was proof of that.
[…]
He’d forget how to feel again. And she’d be safer without him.
I want to know the whys, wheres, whens, hows. *grabby hands* Also very interested in seeing who is the heroine for Gideon and how she’ll help him to accept his destiny.
Beyond Surrender is the perfect ending for this portion of the arc. A soft romance combined with an intense conflict closed some doors but left others open to ensure we are well prepared for the next adventure to come.
Grade: B
Reviewed by Mandi & Tori
Beyond Surrender is the ninth and last installment in Kit Rocha’s Beyond series. Nessa, O’Kane princess and ruler of the distillery, finds her sanity and strength tested when she falls for the one man whose only goal is to see Eden fall. The sectors are going to war and nothing will ever be the same again.
This post apocalyptic series has been a favorite of Smexy Books since its first installment, Beyond Shame, was released in 2012. This dark post apocalyptic world revolves around a walled utopian city-Eden-where the rich and elite live and the outcasts who live outside the walls who have divided the city into gang controlled sections. Heavily character drive, the arc focuses mainly on Sector Four-the O’Kanes. As the series has expanded, we meet the other sectors, their rulers, and the war that is brewing between Eden and the sectors. It’s all rather bittersweet to see the series coming to an end though Rocha has confirmed that their spin-off, Gideon’s Riders, will release its first installment March 2017.
Beyond Surrender is Neesa and Ryder’s story. Nessa, the genus behind the O’Kane Distillery, has been with Dallas since the very beginning. Her family worked for his on his family’s farm in TX. Dallas left the farm to seek his own way and when things got rough on the farm, Nessa and her grandfather followed. All grown up now, Nessa is considered the princess of the O’Kane family and protected like one.
Ryder has been preparing for war for a long time. When his mentor, Jim, was killed, Ryder took Jim’s diary that is a goldmine of information, and became the new leader of Sector Five. Ryder turns up in Sector Four though, to be an ally for Dallas and his leadership. Dallas and company have been preparing for war for a long time and they are ready to proceed. It’s here that Ryder meets Nessa, and there is a definite chemistry between them.
Tori, let’s first talk about Ryder and Nessa’s relationship. I felt it was more quiet than the romances in other books. They had eyes only for each other – and while it was still intense, it was less chaotic. I liked that – since their world was erupting around them.
Tori: I agree. The romance is softer, more intimate, and though it definitely doesn’t hold the erotic edge that we have seen with previous couples, it still maintains a strong hold on the story. Their contrasts-Nessa’s impulsiveness and Ryder’s calm, steady nature-play off one another perfectly. Nessa shows Ryder how to dream beyond his mission while Ryder gives Nessa the dominance and security she craves. Nessa has spent her life unsure if men want her for her or for her connections to Dallas. Ryder doesn’t need anything from her. Not her skills or not her connections. This exhilarates and scares Nessa.
“She’d always wondered what made women bolt like terrified pray in the face of that look. If a hot guy knew what he was doing with his dick wanted to get busy, why wouldn’t you jump on and ride?
Now she got it. Arousal might have made her wet enough to squirm, but the flutter in her chest was closer to panic then excitement.
[…]
Oh yeah. She got it now, why women ran. She also knew that running got you chased.”
Their interactions are infrequent, making the time they do have together more intense as they take advantage. Ryder and Nessa both have their respective roles to play with Ryder on the front lines and Nessa staying behind to man the home fires so to speak. I loved the sense of danger that surrounds them-the possibility of death and the reactions of the O’Kane men who see Nessa as their baby sister.
“As soon as Ace and Jas and Dallas find out, they’re going to make it weird. They always make it weird.”
The romance blends well with the conflict. Rocha jumps right into the fray with no lead up, putting us right up against the wall with our favorite characters. We’ve been waiting for this since book one and I felt Rocha delivers as intended. Allies and enemies alike have played a long game and the time has come to pay the piper. Rocha doesn’t hold back and keep readers in their safe places. War is hell and this writing duo unapologetically shows us the hell the sectors go through to win back their lives and freedom. What did you think Mandi? Were you happy with the way the conflict played out?
Mandi: There was a lot of pressure on this book to deliver a solid HEA for our main couple, but to also deliver on the build up of this war, and to check in on everyone that we have met through the series. It was a lot, but the authors made it all flow so smoothly. One criticism I’ve had with this series is that we don’t always see the violent acts committed outside of Sector Four, and to understand the danger and be immersed in this world, I think experiencing the horrible acts is important for the reader. Not that I enjoy war, but in this book the authors do present it to us and it was a nice payoff. Although I almost had a heart attack when a certain sexy man went down. Good thing when Rocha gives us a HEA, it STAYS a HEA. I did think the first half was a little slow, but maybe that was because I was anticipating the end.
Another thing I enjoyed, not only in this book but the series in general, is Dallas’s rise to power and how others perceived his power. He doesn’t ooze finesse, quite the opposite actually, but he knows how to earn respect. Ryder had been groomed to be the leader of the sectors, and instead of working against Dallas or holding a grudge, he contributes to the war efforts without causing a headache for Sector Four. Dallas is also my absolute favorite character in this series (well – Dallas and Lex) so everyone better bow down! *wink*
Tori: This for me was one of the best scenes. We have watched Dallas and Lex grow within their positions and in here they actually give voice to the changes they’ve made as leaders, O’Kanes, and lovers. I have always found it fascinating that Lex and Dallas are always Declan and Alexa to one another-as if they need that separation between them and the sector.
“I love you, Alexa,” he murmured against her lips. “So let’s settle down and rule our den of sin.”
“For life, Declan.”
Mandi: Up next is a spin-off series, titled Gideon Riders (you spend a little time with them in this book) and they will take us to Sector One. The first book will be Ashwin and Kora and wow did they have some intense scenes in this book.
Even watching for it, Cruz didn’t see the explosion coming.
One second, they were on opposite sides of the alley. The next, Ashwin was slamming Cruz into the brick wall hard enough to know the wind out of him. Ashwin’s hand closed around his throat, pushing him up onto his toes, and his rational mask shattered. “Where is she?”
Oh boy. Their story is going to be HOT.
Are you excited, Tori?
Grade: B
Tori: Excited may not quite be the word for what I’m feeling. I’ve been completely obsessed with Ashwin since first meeting him. A genetically altered soldier who’s become so obsessed with a woman to the point where he needs to hide her from HIM? WHAAA???
They were both what their creators had intended. Perfectly formed tools meant for a single purpose. Trying to change that was a futile act that led to malfunction. He was proof of that.
[…]
He’d forget how to feel again. And she’d be safer without him.
I want to know the whys, wheres, whens, hows. *grabby hands* Also very interested in seeing who is the heroine for Gideon and how she’ll help him to accept his destiny.
Beyond Surrender is the perfect ending for this portion of the arc. A soft romance combined with an intense conflict closed some doors but left others open to ensure we are well prepared for the next adventure to come.
Grade: B
February 12, 2017
Beyond Surrender is the ninth and final novel in the erotic dystopian Beyond series. It’s the end of a long story arc that began in Beyond Shame, and shouldn’t be read as a standalone as it starts without much preamble and dives headlong into the current tense situation from the very first page. Where the earlier stories have been about the hard living, sexually free O’Kane extended family making the most of their time together, playtime is definitely over. This story leads the reader on a roller coaster of emotions from laughter to tears as the world the O’Kanes know is forever changed.
War has come to Sector 4. Indeed, the powerful men ruling the city of Eden have made it clear that their mission is to destroy all the eight Sectors surrounding the city. They firebombed Sector 3 when the seeds of rebellion had barely started. Then they attacked Sector 2, killing women and children indiscriminately . Their invasion of Sector 6, the agricultural mecca Eden relies upon for food resulted in the people fleeing and razing their fields, leaving behind dead and inhospitable land. With so much destruction all around, Dallas O’Kane has made alliances with Sector 1, Sector 5 and Sector 8, while sending some of his people to help out in the ravaged sectors, including building a hospital in the underground tunnel system of Sector 3. He’s as prepared as he can be for a fight to the finish.
Ryder – the new leader of Sector 5 – has been training for this war his entire life. Mentored by Jim, the assassinated leader of Sector 8 and the only original leader of the eight Sectors to survive until very recently, he’s got inside knowledge of every Sector and all of Eden. He knows their weaknesses, their strengths and that Dallas O’Kane is the key to surviving and defeating the enemy. Though he’d be happy to stay with his men on the front lines of Sector 5, his place is in Sector 4 helping Dallas. It’s here that he meets Nessa, the distiller at the heart of the O’Kane liquor empire. Nessa laments that her skills producing the best whiskey are of no use in helping the war effort, not when the only alcohol needed is for medicinal purposes. Her flare of attraction to Ryder is inconvenient but when he makes it clear he’s equally interested it sets the stage for a hot and heavy affair. But they both know there are no guarantees of a happy ending. All they can do is hope for the best and prepare for the worst, giving their all to the moments they have together as if they will be their last. When the dust settles, and the final confrontation is over, who will be left standing?
Nessa is a very appropriate choice as the heroine of this final novel in the series, as she is introduced in the very first story and is a key figure in the success of Dallas O’Kane’s empire. Interestingly though, compared with other strong and feisty heroines in the series, she is a more introverted and shy figure who prefers to be in the background. She’s more comfortable working in the distillery than partying it up with the rest of the gang, and has the role of a younger sibling to Dallas and his partner Lex. Nessa learned the distillery trade from her grandfather, and grew up with Dallas on a farm in Texas before he ended up in Sector 4 and sent for Nessa and her Pops to join him there. While Nessa has had some sexual experiences, they’ve been few and far between and her one romantic interest turned out to be a guy who wanted her only for her distillery knowledge. As such she tends to stay more in the background and the rest of the O’Kane family is very protective of her. When Ryder appears on the scene, there are some amusing moments as Nessa’s internal monologue around him is quite funny; it’s a nice release of tension from the more serious scenes. As well, Dallas, the sexually liberated man that we’ve seen to date is suddenly a protective older brother figure, warning Ryder that breaking Nessa’s heart will be to his detriment. It’s an ironic turn of events to see Dallas in this role.
In another departure from the earlier books, Nessa and Ryder’s romance is a private, seductive affair. Theirs is a strictly monogamous romance, and their love scenes are sensual and erotic without the shock factor so common in earlier books. If there is one thing Ryder is good at, it’s staying in control and keeping himself focused, and when his goal is pleasuring Nessa he takes his time. The result is scenes that are emotional and sweet, while still being very sexy. Because the O’Kane family is in war mode there is no time for public partying and drinking at their social center, the Broken Circle bar. Thus the sex scenes in this story are confined to those between Nessa and Ryder and while important to their romance, are not the main focus of the plot.
Things take some pretty dramatic and violent turns as Eden sends its soldiers out to the various Sectors and Dallas and his people make plans to counter those attacks with assaults of their own. Much of the action takes place in Sector 4, Sector 5 and Eden itself. No one escapes unscathed in this story, and there are moments that will bring the reader to tears. The story is told, as expected, from the points of view of Ryder and Nessa, but several other characters also get a chapter here and there in which to show the effect of events on other members of the O’Kane family. We also hear from some newer characters. In the past, this has been done as a way to introduce new individuals into the series who eventually ended up getting stories of their own. There is a post war spin-off series in the works that will be set in Sector 1 and it’s quite likely that these new characters – as well as some that have popped up here and there in previous books but have unresolved storylines – will end up in Sector 1. But make no mistake, the story arc that began with Beyond Shame is definitely finished with Beyond Surrender. The fate of Dallas O’Kane and the men and women loyal to him is decided in this explosive finale and it’s an ending that is worthy of the series.
This review also appears at All About Romance: http://allaboutromance.com/book-revie...
Note: a copy of this story was provided by the authors for review.
War has come to Sector 4. Indeed, the powerful men ruling the city of Eden have made it clear that their mission is to destroy all the eight Sectors surrounding the city. They firebombed Sector 3 when the seeds of rebellion had barely started. Then they attacked Sector 2, killing women and children indiscriminately . Their invasion of Sector 6, the agricultural mecca Eden relies upon for food resulted in the people fleeing and razing their fields, leaving behind dead and inhospitable land. With so much destruction all around, Dallas O’Kane has made alliances with Sector 1, Sector 5 and Sector 8, while sending some of his people to help out in the ravaged sectors, including building a hospital in the underground tunnel system of Sector 3. He’s as prepared as he can be for a fight to the finish.
Ryder – the new leader of Sector 5 – has been training for this war his entire life. Mentored by Jim, the assassinated leader of Sector 8 and the only original leader of the eight Sectors to survive until very recently, he’s got inside knowledge of every Sector and all of Eden. He knows their weaknesses, their strengths and that Dallas O’Kane is the key to surviving and defeating the enemy. Though he’d be happy to stay with his men on the front lines of Sector 5, his place is in Sector 4 helping Dallas. It’s here that he meets Nessa, the distiller at the heart of the O’Kane liquor empire. Nessa laments that her skills producing the best whiskey are of no use in helping the war effort, not when the only alcohol needed is for medicinal purposes. Her flare of attraction to Ryder is inconvenient but when he makes it clear he’s equally interested it sets the stage for a hot and heavy affair. But they both know there are no guarantees of a happy ending. All they can do is hope for the best and prepare for the worst, giving their all to the moments they have together as if they will be their last. When the dust settles, and the final confrontation is over, who will be left standing?
Nessa is a very appropriate choice as the heroine of this final novel in the series, as she is introduced in the very first story and is a key figure in the success of Dallas O’Kane’s empire. Interestingly though, compared with other strong and feisty heroines in the series, she is a more introverted and shy figure who prefers to be in the background. She’s more comfortable working in the distillery than partying it up with the rest of the gang, and has the role of a younger sibling to Dallas and his partner Lex. Nessa learned the distillery trade from her grandfather, and grew up with Dallas on a farm in Texas before he ended up in Sector 4 and sent for Nessa and her Pops to join him there. While Nessa has had some sexual experiences, they’ve been few and far between and her one romantic interest turned out to be a guy who wanted her only for her distillery knowledge. As such she tends to stay more in the background and the rest of the O’Kane family is very protective of her. When Ryder appears on the scene, there are some amusing moments as Nessa’s internal monologue around him is quite funny; it’s a nice release of tension from the more serious scenes. As well, Dallas, the sexually liberated man that we’ve seen to date is suddenly a protective older brother figure, warning Ryder that breaking Nessa’s heart will be to his detriment. It’s an ironic turn of events to see Dallas in this role.
In another departure from the earlier books, Nessa and Ryder’s romance is a private, seductive affair. Theirs is a strictly monogamous romance, and their love scenes are sensual and erotic without the shock factor so common in earlier books. If there is one thing Ryder is good at, it’s staying in control and keeping himself focused, and when his goal is pleasuring Nessa he takes his time. The result is scenes that are emotional and sweet, while still being very sexy. Because the O’Kane family is in war mode there is no time for public partying and drinking at their social center, the Broken Circle bar. Thus the sex scenes in this story are confined to those between Nessa and Ryder and while important to their romance, are not the main focus of the plot.
Things take some pretty dramatic and violent turns as Eden sends its soldiers out to the various Sectors and Dallas and his people make plans to counter those attacks with assaults of their own. Much of the action takes place in Sector 4, Sector 5 and Eden itself. No one escapes unscathed in this story, and there are moments that will bring the reader to tears. The story is told, as expected, from the points of view of Ryder and Nessa, but several other characters also get a chapter here and there in which to show the effect of events on other members of the O’Kane family. We also hear from some newer characters. In the past, this has been done as a way to introduce new individuals into the series who eventually ended up getting stories of their own. There is a post war spin-off series in the works that will be set in Sector 1 and it’s quite likely that these new characters – as well as some that have popped up here and there in previous books but have unresolved storylines – will end up in Sector 1. But make no mistake, the story arc that began with Beyond Shame is definitely finished with Beyond Surrender. The fate of Dallas O’Kane and the men and women loyal to him is decided in this explosive finale and it’s an ending that is worthy of the series.
This review also appears at All About Romance: http://allaboutromance.com/book-revie...
Note: a copy of this story was provided by the authors for review.
December 13, 2016
Java Girl's review posted at Guilty Pleasures Book Reviews
My level of anticipation and dread was sky-high for Beyond Surrender. I let the ARC sit on my Kindle for several days before I worked up the courage to start it. If I didn’t start it, it couldn’t end, right? I know there are spin-offs in the works (I’ve had my Gideon’s Riders tee-shirt for months), but I’m still so sad to leave Sector Four and the O’Kane Gang. We’re sure (I hope!) to see them in future books, and I look forward to every glimpse, no matter how small, but I’m still going to miss these characters I’ve come to love so much.
War with the corrupt leaders of Eden has been a long time coming, and the tension has built over the last several books, maybe even from the first book, Beyond Shame, but it has really ramped up in the last two or three books. The undercurrent of tension, uncertainty, and fear permeates , but Ryder and Nessa’s romance is easy and fun, the perfect contrast to the stress, death, and destruction of war. I don’t think my heart would have been able to take relationship drama or heavy angst in a story set against a backdrop of war. That’s not to say Ryder and Nessa don’t have doubts or question whether they have a future together—they question whether there will be a future, and what it holds for all the inhabitants of the sectors. Ryder has been raised to lead a revolution and hasn’t given much thought to what he will do once the revolution ends. Nessa has a strong sense of loyalty to Dallas and Lex, and feels an obligation to continue to make the whiskey that is the prime source of income and power for Dallas and the O’Kanes. Neither has given much real thought to life post-revolution. War changes everything, including their roles. I loved the two of them together, both with obligations, roles, and expectations they were born into. I felt they really understood each other, and had a strong connection.
I was so worried and scared for them. I honestly had no idea who would survive and who wouldn’t. Beyond Surrender lived up to all my expectations, including my fears. Be sure to keep a box of tissue handy. I cried, but I also laughed, sighed, and cheered. The showdown with Eden was tightly plotted and the pacing was perfect. My heart was pounding and I completely destroyed my thumbnail, I was so anxious!. It was suspenseful and dramatic-just perfect! I was both thrilled and heartbroken when it was over.
I’ve said this before, but it’s worth saying again. Dystopian/post-apocolyptic is not my thing. At all. I never would have read this series if not for author Lauren Dane posting a link on her website to an excerpt of Beyond Shame. I came so close to not giving it a chance. Never in a million years would I have thought that an erotic dystopian series would become one of my all-time favorites, one I recommend to anyone who asks what they should read next. But the carefully crafted stories, the complexity of the characters and their experiences, the intricacies of the relationships, their hopes, dreams and desires for the future, and the scorching hot sex are completely irresistible for me. Kit Rocha has a way of grabbing ahold of me and drawing me into their world. I’m so excited for what the future holds and can’t wait to see where they take us next.
ARC provided for an honest review.
My level of anticipation and dread was sky-high for Beyond Surrender. I let the ARC sit on my Kindle for several days before I worked up the courage to start it. If I didn’t start it, it couldn’t end, right? I know there are spin-offs in the works (I’ve had my Gideon’s Riders tee-shirt for months), but I’m still so sad to leave Sector Four and the O’Kane Gang. We’re sure (I hope!) to see them in future books, and I look forward to every glimpse, no matter how small, but I’m still going to miss these characters I’ve come to love so much.
War with the corrupt leaders of Eden has been a long time coming, and the tension has built over the last several books, maybe even from the first book, Beyond Shame, but it has really ramped up in the last two or three books. The undercurrent of tension, uncertainty, and fear permeates , but Ryder and Nessa’s romance is easy and fun, the perfect contrast to the stress, death, and destruction of war. I don’t think my heart would have been able to take relationship drama or heavy angst in a story set against a backdrop of war. That’s not to say Ryder and Nessa don’t have doubts or question whether they have a future together—they question whether there will be a future, and what it holds for all the inhabitants of the sectors. Ryder has been raised to lead a revolution and hasn’t given much thought to what he will do once the revolution ends. Nessa has a strong sense of loyalty to Dallas and Lex, and feels an obligation to continue to make the whiskey that is the prime source of income and power for Dallas and the O’Kanes. Neither has given much real thought to life post-revolution. War changes everything, including their roles. I loved the two of them together, both with obligations, roles, and expectations they were born into. I felt they really understood each other, and had a strong connection.
I was so worried and scared for them. I honestly had no idea who would survive and who wouldn’t. Beyond Surrender lived up to all my expectations, including my fears. Be sure to keep a box of tissue handy. I cried, but I also laughed, sighed, and cheered. The showdown with Eden was tightly plotted and the pacing was perfect. My heart was pounding and I completely destroyed my thumbnail, I was so anxious!. It was suspenseful and dramatic-just perfect! I was both thrilled and heartbroken when it was over.
I’ve said this before, but it’s worth saying again. Dystopian/post-apocolyptic is not my thing. At all. I never would have read this series if not for author Lauren Dane posting a link on her website to an excerpt of Beyond Shame. I came so close to not giving it a chance. Never in a million years would I have thought that an erotic dystopian series would become one of my all-time favorites, one I recommend to anyone who asks what they should read next. But the carefully crafted stories, the complexity of the characters and their experiences, the intricacies of the relationships, their hopes, dreams and desires for the future, and the scorching hot sex are completely irresistible for me. Kit Rocha has a way of grabbing ahold of me and drawing me into their world. I’m so excited for what the future holds and can’t wait to see where they take us next.
ARC provided for an honest review.
January 31, 2020
A darn good ending to a wonderful series
May 23, 2017
Great ending
Finally a book that reflected the start of the series. Great hot sex, but solid well developed characters. Great story lots of action. This was the reason I started the series and I am glad I stayed strong through the rest to get to this one.
Great wrap up! O'Kane for life!
Finally a book that reflected the start of the series. Great hot sex, but solid well developed characters. Great story lots of action. This was the reason I started the series and I am glad I stayed strong through the rest to get to this one.
Great wrap up! O'Kane for life!
October 10, 2023
1st read: December 2016
WOW
Ryder
![]()
Nessa
Me because the series ended
This was a fitting end for the O'Kanes. I can't wait to see Gideon's sector now.
2nd read: September 2020
I can't believe I forgot how much I love this series! There definitely won't be such a big break between my rereads :D
WOW
Ryder
Nessa
Me because the series ended
This was a fitting end for the O'Kanes. I can't wait to see Gideon's sector now.
2nd read: September 2020
I can't believe I forgot how much I love this series! There definitely won't be such a big break between my rereads :D
February 7, 2017
Oh how I love the O'Kanes - the loyalty, courage and honor between friends & families. I have loved this series from the start and have really enjoyed the dystopian / erotica focus. It's gritty, edgy and really damn hot ! While this was Nessa & Ryders story I felt the real focus was on the war and uprising. There was so much going on, so many characters having moments that it got a little hard at times. For me Ryder was a little underwhelming so it was lucky Nessa was such a great character- he just didn't have the Alpha vibe that hooked me in, but hey some people like those silent types ! So it's the end of and era, but a start of a new one coming soon. All I can say is " O'Kanes for Life"
December 12, 2016
I have been a huge fan of this series from the very beginning and find this moment very bittersweet!! O’Kane for life….
If you have been following along in this series we all know that War is upon us. The sectors have finally united to take down the city of Eden and all it stands for. This moment has been brewing from the minute we first meet Noelle leaving Eden and finding The Broken Circle.
This installment centers around what I consider two very key players in the sectors….Nessa [The O’Kane Princess] and Ryder [The Leader of Jim Jerigan’s Revolution]. Nessa has grown up around the protection of Dallas both in the sectors and on his family farm. She has seen men try and take advantage of her for profit far too many times to let her walls down. Dallas never took advantage of Nessa’s family talents, as she was his little sister and well the profits built his empire he never forgot it was about creating a better tomorrow. Ryder grew up in a harsh reality of the upcoming war. His entire world was catered to prepare him for tomorrow and what fate would force upon him. This very fate brought him to Sector 5 an only steps away from the one variable that could change his world upside down with just one unguarded touch.
Nessa has seen Ryder around The Broken Circle before and well he peaks all her interest, she guards herself from the unknown. Ryder knows that Nessa is something special and her unfiltered honest truths find a place in his heart that he can’t brush off. These two are really the perfect match for one another the dreamer and the planner, but what happens well the reality of their futures force them to make quick choices that might damage their perceived balance.
That is the thing of this whole series the balance they have grown up around is fake and in the hands of some seriously twisted Eden Councilman. Dallas has been building an empire that spans all of the sectors. He learned early on that the trust of your family and friends will surpass any obstacle. The only way to truly have a future is to fight for their own rights that aren’t linked to Eden and well it isn’t a pretty fight it is one of the most basic needs. Family and Friends will be lost, but for the ultimate goal of the future that everyone has control over building. The times of being controlled by Eden’s visions are a thing of the past.
Will Nessa and Ryder be able to make it out on the other side and get a freedom they never could have imagined??
Well this book is the official end of the members of the O’Kane Family we have already meet some of the characters that will continue the new series -> Gideon’s Riders!! I really want to get to the bottom of Eden’s finish soldier...Ashwin. Bring it ladies, as I know you will never disappoint me!!
*I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review...
If you have been following along in this series we all know that War is upon us. The sectors have finally united to take down the city of Eden and all it stands for. This moment has been brewing from the minute we first meet Noelle leaving Eden and finding The Broken Circle.
This installment centers around what I consider two very key players in the sectors….Nessa [The O’Kane Princess] and Ryder [The Leader of Jim Jerigan’s Revolution]. Nessa has grown up around the protection of Dallas both in the sectors and on his family farm. She has seen men try and take advantage of her for profit far too many times to let her walls down. Dallas never took advantage of Nessa’s family talents, as she was his little sister and well the profits built his empire he never forgot it was about creating a better tomorrow. Ryder grew up in a harsh reality of the upcoming war. His entire world was catered to prepare him for tomorrow and what fate would force upon him. This very fate brought him to Sector 5 an only steps away from the one variable that could change his world upside down with just one unguarded touch.
Nessa has seen Ryder around The Broken Circle before and well he peaks all her interest, she guards herself from the unknown. Ryder knows that Nessa is something special and her unfiltered honest truths find a place in his heart that he can’t brush off. These two are really the perfect match for one another the dreamer and the planner, but what happens well the reality of their futures force them to make quick choices that might damage their perceived balance.
That is the thing of this whole series the balance they have grown up around is fake and in the hands of some seriously twisted Eden Councilman. Dallas has been building an empire that spans all of the sectors. He learned early on that the trust of your family and friends will surpass any obstacle. The only way to truly have a future is to fight for their own rights that aren’t linked to Eden and well it isn’t a pretty fight it is one of the most basic needs. Family and Friends will be lost, but for the ultimate goal of the future that everyone has control over building. The times of being controlled by Eden’s visions are a thing of the past.
Will Nessa and Ryder be able to make it out on the other side and get a freedom they never could have imagined??
Well this book is the official end of the members of the O’Kane Family we have already meet some of the characters that will continue the new series -> Gideon’s Riders!! I really want to get to the bottom of Eden’s finish soldier...Ashwin. Bring it ladies, as I know you will never disappoint me!!
*I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review...
July 18, 2019
What a fantastic end to a fantastic series! It’s all been leading to this moment, to the war between the Sectors and Eden. I was super nervous while reading because Kit Rocha did not hold back from depicting the painful cost of war. While I knew Ryder and Nessa would get a happy ending, I knew that didn’t necessarily mean everyone would make it through. There are some truly heartbreaking moments and I cried for much of the last half of the book.
And yet, there’s still so much hope and redemption in this story. I have been looking forward to Nessa’s book since the series began and it more than lived up to my expectations/hopes. Nessa and Ryder were perfect together. Their personalities are so complimentary. I loved Ryder’s dedication to focus! It was a great balance for Nessa’s curiosity and impatience. It was also neat getting to learn more about what whiskey making means to Nessa and why she’s so good at it.
I’m sad to say goodbye to the O’Kanes but I’m so glad I got to experience this found family. It was cathartic to see them all fight for what they want and to see how sacrifices for the greater good paid off.
CW: death of a grandparent, grief, death of a loved one, shooting, stabbing, bombing, war, violence
And yet, there’s still so much hope and redemption in this story. I have been looking forward to Nessa’s book since the series began and it more than lived up to my expectations/hopes. Nessa and Ryder were perfect together. Their personalities are so complimentary. I loved Ryder’s dedication to focus! It was a great balance for Nessa’s curiosity and impatience. It was also neat getting to learn more about what whiskey making means to Nessa and why she’s so good at it.
I’m sad to say goodbye to the O’Kanes but I’m so glad I got to experience this found family. It was cathartic to see them all fight for what they want and to see how sacrifices for the greater good paid off.
CW: death of a grandparent, grief, death of a loved one, shooting, stabbing, bombing, war, violence
December 15, 2016
Beyond Surrender is the final book in Kit Rocha's Beyond series but don't worry because it's not quite the last we'll see of the O'Kanes. We're moving sectors in the upcoming spin off series but the authors have confirmed we'll still see some familiar faces occasionally while we're getting to know a new bunch of characters in Gideon's Riders. I want to focus on this series for now though and the epic conclusion that we get to see here.
Beyond Surrender is the culmination of the story arc that has been building for eight books now, war with Eden is upon us and things are about to get even more dangerous than ever before. Although the romance focuses on Nessa and Ryder (more about those two later) this book is so much more than that and it gives us glimpses of most of the previous characters as we see the roles they all play in the O'Kanes biggest battle yet. Nobody is safe and war is a brutal thing but the O'Kanes have always been willing to fight to protect the people they love and their freedom. I'm not going to lie, this book is heart wrenching in places and there were moments that broke my heart and left me sobbing like a baby, I cried for their losses but I also laughed and cheered for the characters through their victories and I did have a huge smile on my face at the end.
I did wonder if Nessa and Ryder's romance might end up getting sidelined because so much else was happening in this story but their relationship didn't feel at all rushed. Things moved fast between them sure but the urgency of their situation just ramped up the feelings that have been building between them for a long time now. Nessa has been with the O'Kanes since she was a teenager and it's meant that all the men look on her as a kid sister, she's been protected and cosseted by the whole gang and as much as she loves them all like her family she has found it lonely at times because not many men are willing to face up to so many men to date her. The ones that made the effort usually did it because they wanted something from her rather than because they had feelings for her.
Ryder is different though, as the leader of Sector Five he's powerful in his own right. He's an ally of the O'Kanes but he isn't looking to take over from Dallas, he wants to work with him to bring down the people in control of Eden. Ryder has been raised for war, he has been preparing for this moment practically from birth and he eats, sleeps and breathes fighting tactics and plots against Eden. One thing he never did was look beyond the war to what would happen to him next, he was so focused on the battle that he forgot about the happily ever after. Until Nessa came along that is. It's a terrible time to start a new relationship but actually it might be the best possible time too, after all you only fight harder if you've got someone special to come home to.
I loved everything about this book, the romance was both sweet and hot, the action was non stop and my heart was in my mouth for most of the story. Beyond Surrender is a fitting end to a series I've followed for years now but it was also a great introduction to some new characters that I'm looking forward to getting to know better in the future.
Source: Received from the author in exchange for an honest review
Beyond Surrender is the culmination of the story arc that has been building for eight books now, war with Eden is upon us and things are about to get even more dangerous than ever before. Although the romance focuses on Nessa and Ryder (more about those two later) this book is so much more than that and it gives us glimpses of most of the previous characters as we see the roles they all play in the O'Kanes biggest battle yet. Nobody is safe and war is a brutal thing but the O'Kanes have always been willing to fight to protect the people they love and their freedom. I'm not going to lie, this book is heart wrenching in places and there were moments that broke my heart and left me sobbing like a baby, I cried for their losses but I also laughed and cheered for the characters through their victories and I did have a huge smile on my face at the end.
I did wonder if Nessa and Ryder's romance might end up getting sidelined because so much else was happening in this story but their relationship didn't feel at all rushed. Things moved fast between them sure but the urgency of their situation just ramped up the feelings that have been building between them for a long time now. Nessa has been with the O'Kanes since she was a teenager and it's meant that all the men look on her as a kid sister, she's been protected and cosseted by the whole gang and as much as she loves them all like her family she has found it lonely at times because not many men are willing to face up to so many men to date her. The ones that made the effort usually did it because they wanted something from her rather than because they had feelings for her.
Ryder is different though, as the leader of Sector Five he's powerful in his own right. He's an ally of the O'Kanes but he isn't looking to take over from Dallas, he wants to work with him to bring down the people in control of Eden. Ryder has been raised for war, he has been preparing for this moment practically from birth and he eats, sleeps and breathes fighting tactics and plots against Eden. One thing he never did was look beyond the war to what would happen to him next, he was so focused on the battle that he forgot about the happily ever after. Until Nessa came along that is. It's a terrible time to start a new relationship but actually it might be the best possible time too, after all you only fight harder if you've got someone special to come home to.
I loved everything about this book, the romance was both sweet and hot, the action was non stop and my heart was in my mouth for most of the story. Beyond Surrender is a fitting end to a series I've followed for years now but it was also a great introduction to some new characters that I'm looking forward to getting to know better in the future.
Source: Received from the author in exchange for an honest review
May 7, 2017
What can I say…I always have mixed feelings when I get to the end of a series. I really want to know what happens and how things wrap up but on the other hand, I don’t want it to be over. Beyond Surrender, the ninth book in the Beyond series by Kit Rocha, had the same reaction from me. I was both excited and a bit apprehensive when I got the ARC for review.
Beyond Surrender focuses on Nessa and Ryder and the story actually starts with these two characters. I have to admit I was on the fence with these two being the main focus for this story but I thought Rocha did a good job with them. The only issue I have is that it felt like things were rushed with them. In previous books it felt like the main romantic characters had more time. Perhaps this was due to the war going on but I wanted to have more time with these characters together. As characters go, I still don’t know how I feel about them. Nessa came off as flighty (except when it came to making the alcohol) and I still don’t know much about Ryder…except that he is smart and has been preparing for war his whole life.
The key to this book (for me) was the war that was going on and how the sectors were coming together to fight Eden. I loved how everything was finally coming together and the sectors were working against everything Eden and the power hungry leaders were fighting for. As Eden continued to lie and take advantage of the people living within the walls, the sectors were trying to figure out how to beat them without extra casualties. When everything comes to a head and Dallas and Lex decide they need to make their move, everything moves really quickly.
There are some casualties in this final book and I have to say, I was a bit nervous when things started to go down. I had no idea who was going to make it and who wasn’t. I won’t say much about this because I don’t want to ruin anything but trust me when I say…if you are invested in any of the core characters, be prepared. A lot goes down in the end and while the final fight is big and bloody, the goal was clear for everyone, no matter what happened. As the end draws near, ending the corruption in Eden is everyone’s goal and Ryder is going to make that happen no matter what.
In the end, I was happy to see how Rocha ended this series. With that in mind, I was glad to hear that Ashwin is going to be the first character for the Gideon’s Riders series. He is a character that has intrigued me since his introduction and I can’t wait to know more about him.
Those of you who have not yet started this series…get to it. I thought later books were more tame in the romance/erotica aspect but the overall story of the conflict between Eden and the Sectors never wavered and I enjoyed this series quite a bit. If you’re looking for something in the dystopian genre but geared toward adults, you should check these books out.
This ARC was provided in exchange for an honest review.
Beyond Surrender focuses on Nessa and Ryder and the story actually starts with these two characters. I have to admit I was on the fence with these two being the main focus for this story but I thought Rocha did a good job with them. The only issue I have is that it felt like things were rushed with them. In previous books it felt like the main romantic characters had more time. Perhaps this was due to the war going on but I wanted to have more time with these characters together. As characters go, I still don’t know how I feel about them. Nessa came off as flighty (except when it came to making the alcohol) and I still don’t know much about Ryder…except that he is smart and has been preparing for war his whole life.
The key to this book (for me) was the war that was going on and how the sectors were coming together to fight Eden. I loved how everything was finally coming together and the sectors were working against everything Eden and the power hungry leaders were fighting for. As Eden continued to lie and take advantage of the people living within the walls, the sectors were trying to figure out how to beat them without extra casualties. When everything comes to a head and Dallas and Lex decide they need to make their move, everything moves really quickly.
There are some casualties in this final book and I have to say, I was a bit nervous when things started to go down. I had no idea who was going to make it and who wasn’t. I won’t say much about this because I don’t want to ruin anything but trust me when I say…if you are invested in any of the core characters, be prepared. A lot goes down in the end and while the final fight is big and bloody, the goal was clear for everyone, no matter what happened. As the end draws near, ending the corruption in Eden is everyone’s goal and Ryder is going to make that happen no matter what.
In the end, I was happy to see how Rocha ended this series. With that in mind, I was glad to hear that Ashwin is going to be the first character for the Gideon’s Riders series. He is a character that has intrigued me since his introduction and I can’t wait to know more about him.
Those of you who have not yet started this series…get to it. I thought later books were more tame in the romance/erotica aspect but the overall story of the conflict between Eden and the Sectors never wavered and I enjoyed this series quite a bit. If you’re looking for something in the dystopian genre but geared toward adults, you should check these books out.
This ARC was provided in exchange for an honest review.
February 10, 2017
Every time I think Kit Rocha can't top the last book I'm proven wrong.
The series is my crack. I hide away in a corner and immerse myself in the O'Kane world. This being the last book in the series I knew I was going to be on an emotional rollercoaster.
Beyond Surrender is Nessa and Ryder's story and it was all sorts of amazing.
Nessa is strong and sassy but you also see her vulnerability and her unwavering devotion to her O'Kane family.
Ryder's single purpose has been preparing to lead a revolution. Nothing else matters....Until Nessa. The passion between Ryder and Nessa was combustible. I loved their chemistry and Ryder's calm and sweet way of breaking down Nessa's walls.
I found the book riveting. So much is happening. The relationships and friendships are complicated and at times absolutely heart wrenching. The action is non stop, the revelations come fast and furious. My heart was broken into a million pieces at one point. I cursed at Kit for making me cry. I was also overwhelmed with giddiness when given a moment of levity and happiness for the O'Kane family.
An added bonus was Ashwin. He fascinates the hell out of me. His connection to Kora just screams drama and I can't wait to dive into their world. There are many new faces who no doubt have rich back stories just waiting to bust out.
While it may be the end of this series, I can't wait for what the next series brings.
Review closer to release date.
ARC received via Kit Rocha in exchange for an honest review.
The series is my crack. I hide away in a corner and immerse myself in the O'Kane world. This being the last book in the series I knew I was going to be on an emotional rollercoaster.
Beyond Surrender is Nessa and Ryder's story and it was all sorts of amazing.
Nessa is strong and sassy but you also see her vulnerability and her unwavering devotion to her O'Kane family.
Ryder's single purpose has been preparing to lead a revolution. Nothing else matters....Until Nessa. The passion between Ryder and Nessa was combustible. I loved their chemistry and Ryder's calm and sweet way of breaking down Nessa's walls.
I found the book riveting. So much is happening. The relationships and friendships are complicated and at times absolutely heart wrenching. The action is non stop, the revelations come fast and furious. My heart was broken into a million pieces at one point. I cursed at Kit for making me cry. I was also overwhelmed with giddiness when given a moment of levity and happiness for the O'Kane family.
An added bonus was Ashwin. He fascinates the hell out of me. His connection to Kora just screams drama and I can't wait to dive into their world. There are many new faces who no doubt have rich back stories just waiting to bust out.
While it may be the end of this series, I can't wait for what the next series brings.
Review closer to release date.
ARC received via Kit Rocha in exchange for an honest review.
December 2, 2016
One strength of this series has always been the backdrop of Eden, its simmering class tensions and the Machiavellian maneuvering of its shadowy bad guys. The dramatic arc of the war between Eden and the sectors provided a lot of the series's momentum, but each story was always first and foremost about the couple whose love story was being showcased. Well, until the series finale, that is. There was just too much going on in the war (and too much fan servicing in other characters' POVs) to allow for the development of a fully realized romance between this book's MCs, Ryder and Nessa.
Indeed, these two characters seemed like an odd choice for narrating the end of Eden's reign and were more often that not relegated to observer status. After all, Ryder is the leader of Sector Five...but he spends all his time with the O'Kanes. He's a super-spy...who does no spying in this book. He was born to be the leader of the rebellion...but it's Dallas who is at the helm the entire time. And Nessa openly admits to being totally unneeded in the war effort, given that she's a distiller, not a fighter. But that just means she gets awkwardly shoehorned into important scenes willy-nilly: for example, did you know Nessa was a budding videographer? No? Neither did anybody else before she showed up to shoot a propaganda piece for the rebellion!
That said, this was an appropriately epic end to a grand series arc, and I'm more psyched than ever about Gideon's Riders, the follow-on series. Ashwin in particular has emerged as a character I cannot wait to know better, and he arguably steals the book right out from under everyone. I'm O'Kane for Life, but I'm also ready to close the book on Sector Four and move on to a whole new crop of post-apocalyptic smutty goodness.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Indeed, these two characters seemed like an odd choice for narrating the end of Eden's reign and were more often that not relegated to observer status. After all, Ryder is the leader of Sector Five...but he spends all his time with the O'Kanes. He's a super-spy...who does no spying in this book. He was born to be the leader of the rebellion...but it's Dallas who is at the helm the entire time. And Nessa openly admits to being totally unneeded in the war effort, given that she's a distiller, not a fighter. But that just means she gets awkwardly shoehorned into important scenes willy-nilly: for example, did you know Nessa was a budding videographer? No? Neither did anybody else before she showed up to shoot a propaganda piece for the rebellion!
That said, this was an appropriately epic end to a grand series arc, and I'm more psyched than ever about Gideon's Riders, the follow-on series. Ashwin in particular has emerged as a character I cannot wait to know better, and he arguably steals the book right out from under everyone. I'm O'Kane for Life, but I'm also ready to close the book on Sector Four and move on to a whole new crop of post-apocalyptic smutty goodness.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
February 8, 2017
I was both sad and excited when this book downloaded to my kindle. Sad because one of my favorite series was coming to an end. Excited because once again I was getting the chance to dive into the life of the O’Kanes. This book was very different than the previous books. Which I somewhat expected. After all the author is ending a long standing series. The first half was on the slower side for me. And I may have shed a few tears while reading this. A first for me for this post-apocalyptic world. But who said war was suppose to be warm and fuzzy, right?? What I wasn’t expecting was the lack of romance (aka steamy encounters) that I love so much from this series. Yes there was a story about two people coming together and finding love during the chaos and uncertainty of a war, but their story was more of a backdrop than anything else. Which I was disappointed with. This book’s main purpose is the ending of the war between the sectors and Eden. Which I feel the author did a great job with. Do I feel closure with this book? Yes. But as always with life, this book did leave me with some questions. But luckily, hopefully they will be answered in the future. Just because the O’Kanes and Sector 4’s story has come to an end, doesn’t mean the other Sectors and their people don’t have stories to tell. I’m so happy that the other sectors are not gone forever. I’m hoping to see appearances from my favorite O’Kanes in the upcoming spin off series, Gideon’s Riders. If you can’t figure it out yet, yes I am not so patiently counting the days. :)
**ARC provided in exchange for an honest review**
**ARC provided in exchange for an honest review**
December 23, 2016
4.5 stars, a great ending for one of my favorite series, though it wasn't without cost. :( I will miss this family, though I hope to see them here and there in the new series, Gideon's Riders, which I am very excited for! Thank you Kit Rocha for a hell of a ride!
O'Kane for life!!
O'Kane for life!!
July 22, 2017
Review originally posted at RabidReads.com.
It is always hard to say goodbye to a beloved series and a beloved cast of characters. This is no different. I’ve been a huge fan of this series since I read Beyond Shame back in 2013. This series has a been a great mix of wonderful characters, amazing world-building, action-packed plotlines and some really dirty and well-written sex scenes. I don’t remember how I stumbled upon this series. It was my first by this author pair (under this name or their other pen name, Moria Rogers), but it will not be my last.
If you’re not familiar with this series, it is a dystopian world that was turned on its end by a solar flare which took out pretty much all of the technology. They didn’t go back to the middle ages, though. They did use some of the technology to rebuild. The series revolves around the city of Eden and the sectors that surround it. Eden is known for its wealth, corruption and overindulgence. The sectors are full of poverty, gangs and people just struggling to get by. This series focuses on Sector Four which is “led” by the O’Kanes. A gang of members who work hard and play even harder. Dallas O’Kane is their leader. He just wants to be able to keep his friends safe and party harder than anyone else.
Throughout this series, we’ve watched as the O’Kanes have grown in number. They’ve also added some really important people with great skills. We’ve also seen tensions between the sectors and Eden grow. One thing Eden failed to realize, as they tightened their grip around the sectors, the sectors were starting to some closer together amid the repression from Eden. The leaders of Eden also failed to realize the power of leading by loving and caring for people versus leading by fear.
So, in this story, we have our main couple of Nessa and Ryder. Nessa was one of the first female members of the O’Kanes. She is also treated by all of them as their baby sister (I can’t imagine what it would be like to have these scary guys as as your big brothers, no man would want to go near her). She is also the princess of the O’Kanes liquor empire. Dallas has made pretty much all of his money on selling bootlegged illegal liquor and Nessa is the one who knew how to make it the best. She knew all of the best recipes and exactly how long to age it to make it perfect.
Ryder has spent his entire life building up to this war with Eden. His mentor, Jim, from Sector Eight, knew that a day would come when the sectors would be ready to stand together against Eden and protect their own livelihoods. Ryder took over Sector Five, where all the medicines are made. It put him in the perfect place to help lead this war.
This couple is not my favorite couple in this series. Don’t get me wrong, I love Nessa and Ryder together. It’s just really hard to beat some of the amazing couples like Jasper and Noelle, Dallas and Lex, and Ace, Cruz and Rachel.
Even with that, this is my favorite book in the series. I really loved seeing the cumulation of everything finally come together. This book was so very emotional as I watched some of my favorite characters go to war. We all know that not everyone comes back from a war, so the tension was really high. There were some pretty tough scenes that hit me really hard. But made the story all the better for it.
While, I’m sad to see this series end, I’m excited that I will not have to leave this world forever. Kit Rocha’s next series is a spinoff that takes place in Section One. I’m really excited to see what Gideon’s Riders have in store for me.
If you haven’t tried this series, be sure to start at the beginning with Beyond Shame. Not only is it one of my favorite couples, the overall series story arc is best to follow from entirely from the beginning. I would also suggest that you go and grabbed Beyond Series Bundle (Books 1-3), because it is FREE at the time of this post. If you’re an audiobook person, like me, you can grab the first book, Beyond Shame, for free on Kindle and then add the audiobook narration for only $2.99.
**Book was provided to me by the author. This review is my opinion and was not requested or provoked in anyway by the author.
It is always hard to say goodbye to a beloved series and a beloved cast of characters. This is no different. I’ve been a huge fan of this series since I read Beyond Shame back in 2013. This series has a been a great mix of wonderful characters, amazing world-building, action-packed plotlines and some really dirty and well-written sex scenes. I don’t remember how I stumbled upon this series. It was my first by this author pair (under this name or their other pen name, Moria Rogers), but it will not be my last.
If you’re not familiar with this series, it is a dystopian world that was turned on its end by a solar flare which took out pretty much all of the technology. They didn’t go back to the middle ages, though. They did use some of the technology to rebuild. The series revolves around the city of Eden and the sectors that surround it. Eden is known for its wealth, corruption and overindulgence. The sectors are full of poverty, gangs and people just struggling to get by. This series focuses on Sector Four which is “led” by the O’Kanes. A gang of members who work hard and play even harder. Dallas O’Kane is their leader. He just wants to be able to keep his friends safe and party harder than anyone else.
Throughout this series, we’ve watched as the O’Kanes have grown in number. They’ve also added some really important people with great skills. We’ve also seen tensions between the sectors and Eden grow. One thing Eden failed to realize, as they tightened their grip around the sectors, the sectors were starting to some closer together amid the repression from Eden. The leaders of Eden also failed to realize the power of leading by loving and caring for people versus leading by fear.
So, in this story, we have our main couple of Nessa and Ryder. Nessa was one of the first female members of the O’Kanes. She is also treated by all of them as their baby sister (I can’t imagine what it would be like to have these scary guys as as your big brothers, no man would want to go near her). She is also the princess of the O’Kanes liquor empire. Dallas has made pretty much all of his money on selling bootlegged illegal liquor and Nessa is the one who knew how to make it the best. She knew all of the best recipes and exactly how long to age it to make it perfect.
Ryder has spent his entire life building up to this war with Eden. His mentor, Jim, from Sector Eight, knew that a day would come when the sectors would be ready to stand together against Eden and protect their own livelihoods. Ryder took over Sector Five, where all the medicines are made. It put him in the perfect place to help lead this war.
This couple is not my favorite couple in this series. Don’t get me wrong, I love Nessa and Ryder together. It’s just really hard to beat some of the amazing couples like Jasper and Noelle, Dallas and Lex, and Ace, Cruz and Rachel.
Even with that, this is my favorite book in the series. I really loved seeing the cumulation of everything finally come together. This book was so very emotional as I watched some of my favorite characters go to war. We all know that not everyone comes back from a war, so the tension was really high. There were some pretty tough scenes that hit me really hard. But made the story all the better for it.
While, I’m sad to see this series end, I’m excited that I will not have to leave this world forever. Kit Rocha’s next series is a spinoff that takes place in Section One. I’m really excited to see what Gideon’s Riders have in store for me.
If you haven’t tried this series, be sure to start at the beginning with Beyond Shame. Not only is it one of my favorite couples, the overall series story arc is best to follow from entirely from the beginning. I would also suggest that you go and grabbed Beyond Series Bundle (Books 1-3), because it is FREE at the time of this post. If you’re an audiobook person, like me, you can grab the first book, Beyond Shame, for free on Kindle and then add the audiobook narration for only $2.99.
She touched his cheek. “I’m good at dreaming. I can come up with ten dreams right now, and I’ll forget half of them by tomorrow. I don’t know if life with me could ever be peaceful. Makes me feel kind of like an asshold for hoping you want to try.”
“What happens when you forget them?”
“I dream up more.” She smiled at him. “I’m an O’Kane princess. I never run out of dreams.”
**Book was provided to me by the author. This review is my opinion and was not requested or provoked in anyway by the author.
February 9, 2021
This was a perfect end to the series and honestly made me tear up over the fact the characters I love so much are done. I truly loved Nessa and Ryder’s story, because they fit together so right, there was no forcing things in place or blow ups over miscommunications and secrets. Just the knowledge that war and love can hurt you in equal measures.
November 27, 2016
Saying goodbye to a beloved series is HARD. Especially when there's a chance some of the characters you've come to know and love might not make it through the final battle. But, MAN, was it worth it. Because those O'Kanes are fighting for the survival of every last one of them in the sectors PLUS all the innocents inside Eden and they deserve to finally find some peace.
*gets all mushy on everyone*
On top of the heartache and bloodshed that comes with war, there's also the signature O'Kane sexy times. And a heaping dose of emotion. Because O'Kanes don't do things by halves and if you're going to love someone, you might as well go all-in with the threat of annihilation at your door.
Seriously, the O'Kanes fight hard and love harder. It's a thing.
So. Nessa and Ryder. Two very different people with two very different skill sets. Nessa is the heart of the O'Kane liquor empire and Ryder's been trained to bring Eden to its knees. Watching them work through the kinks in their relationship (once they admitted they're in a relationship and not just engaging in a torrid affair) while dealing with the very real possibility that they might not survive the coming battles...well, it was everything I was looking for in this final book.
Yes, there's heartache. There's loss. There's a whole lot of love and brotherhood going on in the O'Kane stronghold. This is what these men and women have been readying themselves for since the beginning and it is GLORIOUS to behold.
-Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal
*gets all mushy on everyone*
On top of the heartache and bloodshed that comes with war, there's also the signature O'Kane sexy times. And a heaping dose of emotion. Because O'Kanes don't do things by halves and if you're going to love someone, you might as well go all-in with the threat of annihilation at your door.
Seriously, the O'Kanes fight hard and love harder. It's a thing.
So. Nessa and Ryder. Two very different people with two very different skill sets. Nessa is the heart of the O'Kane liquor empire and Ryder's been trained to bring Eden to its knees. Watching them work through the kinks in their relationship (once they admitted they're in a relationship and not just engaging in a torrid affair) while dealing with the very real possibility that they might not survive the coming battles...well, it was everything I was looking for in this final book.
Yes, there's heartache. There's loss. There's a whole lot of love and brotherhood going on in the O'Kane stronghold. This is what these men and women have been readying themselves for since the beginning and it is GLORIOUS to behold.
-Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal
December 25, 2016
It's more like a 3.5 and while my love for this series is pressuring me to bump it up to 4 stars, I can't bring myself to do it.
Personally, I think this series should've ended a few books ago. There are too many characters, and coupled with the time it took between books, it became hard to remember everyone and things got kind of out of control for me. Having said that, I enjoyed this book, I just didn't love it.
It focused too much on a war that was always a second theme in the series, cause the story between the characters was always the main thing. That was not the case in this book and I'm not going to lie, I missed the crazy sex scenes. For the last book, I thought we were going to go out with a bang. (pun intended)
I'm happy with where most of the characters ended, but I'm just not feeling completely satisfied, which explains the 3.5 rating.
Personally, I think this series should've ended a few books ago. There are too many characters, and coupled with the time it took between books, it became hard to remember everyone and things got kind of out of control for me. Having said that, I enjoyed this book, I just didn't love it.
It focused too much on a war that was always a second theme in the series, cause the story between the characters was always the main thing. That was not the case in this book and I'm not going to lie, I missed the crazy sex scenes. For the last book, I thought we were going to go out with a bang. (pun intended)
I'm happy with where most of the characters ended, but I'm just not feeling completely satisfied, which explains the 3.5 rating.
February 5, 2017
After such a long time and being apart of the characters of sector fours lives the series finally comes to an end. And what an ending it was. I laughed and cried and stopped breathing there for a second, but I enjoyed every moment.
December 15, 2016
Review to come
May 1, 2018
This was alright! I wasn't feeling the chemistry as much but I like the way the series was wrapped up!
April 4, 2020
I am a constant ball of rage. I'm not afraid for my life in the pandemic, I'm afraid for everybody's life. I am enraged by the constant flow of lies, gaslighting, misinformation and toxicity coming out of the current administration. I am terrified for the future of the country I live in and the world as a whole. Every time I read about what the current administration and it's supporters are doing I see spots and start to feel the top of my head list off. I am determined that they will not kill me either through failing to take effective measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19, or causing me to stroke out at their cruel incompetence.
To relieve the stress of the rage, I have been rereading some favorites. I didn't intend to review any of my rereads, but as I reread this last book in Kit Rocha's Beyond series I realized I had focused so much on the revolution I had not paid much attention to the romance. In rereading I found all these lovely relationship and character moments between Nessa and Ryder that made my heart go squish. I need heart squishing so much right now.
This is the last book in the series, so it is not where you start. There are no major spoilers in this review other than Sector 4 is the headquarters of the revolution, but since the series is about Sector 4, that's not really a surprise.
Nessa is the O'Kane princess. She creates and distills the liquors that give Dallas the resources to be the king of Sector 4 and the head of the brewing opposition to Eden's oppression. Ryder had been trained to gain enough power in the Sectors to lead the revolution against Eden. Plans are nice, but as things have unfolded, Dallas O'Kane is the person that people look to for leadership, not Ryder. It's an interesting exploration of authentic leadership. Nessa and Ryder don't have a lot of time before things go to hell, but they do that think I love in romances, they see beyond the masks we wear and accept each other as they are. What I missed the first time, as I focused on rushing to the end, was the sweetness and the quiet between them. In several of the other books, the couples, thruples, and quadruples, have had some noisy break ups and dramatic reunions, which were a joy to read. Nessa and Ryder steal time, get together quietly, and savor their moments of sweetness.
To relieve the stress of the rage, I have been rereading some favorites. I didn't intend to review any of my rereads, but as I reread this last book in Kit Rocha's Beyond series I realized I had focused so much on the revolution I had not paid much attention to the romance. In rereading I found all these lovely relationship and character moments between Nessa and Ryder that made my heart go squish. I need heart squishing so much right now.
This is the last book in the series, so it is not where you start. There are no major spoilers in this review other than Sector 4 is the headquarters of the revolution, but since the series is about Sector 4, that's not really a surprise.
Nessa is the O'Kane princess. She creates and distills the liquors that give Dallas the resources to be the king of Sector 4 and the head of the brewing opposition to Eden's oppression. Ryder had been trained to gain enough power in the Sectors to lead the revolution against Eden. Plans are nice, but as things have unfolded, Dallas O'Kane is the person that people look to for leadership, not Ryder. It's an interesting exploration of authentic leadership. Nessa and Ryder don't have a lot of time before things go to hell, but they do that think I love in romances, they see beyond the masks we wear and accept each other as they are. What I missed the first time, as I focused on rushing to the end, was the sweetness and the quiet between them. In several of the other books, the couples, thruples, and quadruples, have had some noisy break ups and dramatic reunions, which were a joy to read. Nessa and Ryder steal time, get together quietly, and savor their moments of sweetness.
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