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The Sensation

(Salvi Brentt #2)

Amanda Bridgeman (Goodreads Author)

4.35 · Rating details · 20 ratings · 13 reviews

Last time she investigated the saints of the Solme Complex. This time it's the sinners of the Sensation... Presenting the second Salvi Brentt novel from award-winning author, Amanda Bridgeman.

A series of brutal murders has the homicide division of San Francisco's Hub 9 working overtime. But as the bodies mount, they begin to question whether the attacks are random or some ...more

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Paperback, 400 pages

Published October 13th 2020 by Angry Robot

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Sep 02, 2020 Chris Berko rated it really liked it

Another very cool murder mystery and exploration of the technology introduced in book one. Whodunnits have been around forever and have been done a million different ways so its cool to periodically come across a fresh and inventive take on the genre. In the original Karate Kid movie Mr Miyagi says, "Different, but same." That is how I feel about this book, everything I loved about book one is still here with the cool characters, original tech, and genuinely intriguing mystery but the author sor ...more

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Aug 21, 2020 Nikki rated it really liked it

Shelves: netgally

The Sensation, The Salvation Series, Book II, by Amanda Bridgeman
Publisher: Angry Robot
Genre: Mystery & Thrillers | Sci Fi & Fantasy
Release Date: October 13, 2020
💥💥💥💥
This is a fast paced crime drama set in a tech-rich future and I loved it!

The characters were engaging and the story line was intriguing. I love a good murder mystery and this was a great one!

Since this is book 2 of The Salvation Series, I will definetly be reading book 1 and any future books in the series

I'm so grateful to Amanda B ...more

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Nov 27, 2020 Dana rated it it was ok · review of another edition

Apparently, I’m the first hater.

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Oct 29, 2020 Daniel rated it it was amazing

Shelves: mystery, scifi-fantasy

This review originally published in Looking For a Good book. Rated 4.75 of 5

I feel like Steve Martin in The Jerk ... I want to hold this up and run around saying, "The new Amanda Bridgeman book is out! The new Amanda Bridgeman book is here!" I have very much been looking forward to the release of this next volume in the Salvi Brentt series.

Detective Salvi Brentt is one tough detective. She's still recovering from her ordeal in the previous book (The Subjugate), and as we meet up with her, we lea ...more

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Oct 10, 2020 Zoe L. added it

I’m backkk with book two and I’m seriously obsessed with this cover! Just like with the first book (you can read my review on my blog!) I was instantly engaged and involved in the story. And it doesn’t fail to live up to the first book in the series, The Sensation definitely stands on it’s own as another outstanding part of this series.

This second installment in the series continues to expand on our knowledge of the world and introduces us to new and old characters. And while there are the famil ...more

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Oct 13, 2020 -RadioactiveBookworm- rated it it was amazing

Has it really been two years since the first book? I absolutely loved that one, and my opinion hasn't changed about the series with this one. From the second I started it, I knew I wasn't going to be able to put it down until it was finished, and that's exactly what happened. I really had trouble reading other things while my phone was charging, and that's exactly what I love about this series. It worms its way into your head, and once you're in, you're not getting back out. Kind of like the sub ...more

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Sep 26, 2020 Harri rated it really liked it

Shelves: netgalley, 2020

The Sensation is the second book in the Salvi Brentt series. I really enjoyed the first book. The mystery was intriguing, the romance was good and the characters were interesting. This is a brilliant sequel that definitely lives up to my expectations. It brings back plenty of characters from the first book, as well as introducing some new ones. I liked that in this book we get more of the relationships between Salvi and the rest of the team. And of course, I loved seeing more of Salvi and Mitch' The Sensation is the second book in the Salvi Brentt series. I really enjoyed the first book. The mystery was intriguing, the romance was good and the characters were interesting. This is a brilliant sequel that definitely lives up to my expectations. It brings back plenty of characters from the first book, as well as introducing some new ones. I liked that in this book we get more of the relationships between Salvi and the rest of the team. And of course, I loved seeing more of Salvi and Mitch's burgeoning relationship.

After the events that transpired in the first book, Salvi Brentt has been assigned to desk duty. The book starts with her return to full duty, which happens to coincide with a new drug on the streets and a spate of potentially linked murders. This is quickly followed by a dead cop, making this case personal. Salvi has to solve the crimes and take down the criminals before it's too late.

There is some seriously twisted ideas in this book, along the same vein as the first book. Brainwashing and sex slaves, drugs that make you lose your mind. Bridgeman certainly doesn't shy away from violence. But I thought all of these ideas were explored in interesting ways. Whilst the book contains some awful things, they are not just there for shock value. I have to admit, this book did make really make me think about our increasing reliance on technology and the potential it has for abuse.

I love the future tech. This book is definitely sci fi, with so many cool and also scary ideas for the future. Neural implants, AI, drones watching your every move. Combined with the detective work and it feels a bit like a sci fi CSI. It has an engaging, interesting, complex plot, and is fast paced and exciting the entire way through.

I would recommend that people read the first book first, before reading this one. Whilst it is possibly enjoyable as a stand alone, you'll definitely get more from it by reading them in order. Book one introduces us to the world, and sets the scene for the character development in book two. There are also links to the plot of the first book.

Overall, this is a really good sci fi crime novel that I enjoyed reading. ...more

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Oct 13, 2020 Jim rated it it was amazing

Good story, well written. Fast paced. The story really picked-up in the end. I think it's necessary to read the first book in the series, the Subjugate to get some background of the main characters. Solid world building. I liked Ms. Bridgeman's writing and would buy the next book in the series as well as take a look at any other book she wrote.

Thanks Netgalley and Angry Robot for the ARC. ...more

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Dec 22, 2020 RG rated it really liked it

I loved the first novel from this local author. Great follow up. Murder mystery scifi kinda miminal cyberpunkish. Still not as good as some of the other novels in the same vein but really dug it. Hopefully more

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Sep 02, 2020 Paul rated it really liked it

Really nice mix of mystery, tech, action, and suspense. All around good scifi. Bridgeman is a talented author. Recommended.

I really appreciate the ARC for review!!

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Oct 13, 2020 Jamie Brackell rated it it was amazing

Set in a near-future San Francisco where immersive technology and drugs result in a deadly cocktail for thrill-seekers, “The Sensation” is the second novel in The Salvation Series and the follow-up to the excellent neo-noir crime thriller, “The Subjugate”, which I reviewed back in October 2018 on this very blog. Written by Australian author Amanda Bridgeman, one key theme of the novels has been the dangers of technological implants and how it can be used to control and influence people for both Set in a near-future San Francisco where immersive technology and drugs result in a deadly cocktail for thrill-seekers, “The Sensation” is the second novel in The Salvation Series and the follow-up to the excellent neo-noir crime thriller, “The Subjugate”, which I reviewed back in October 2018 on this very blog. Written by Australian author Amanda Bridgeman, one key theme of the novels has been the dangers of technological implants and how it can be used to control and influence people for both good and bad reasons. The suppression of free will has been a recurring element in the novels and whereas “The Subjugate” asked questions about using technology to control psychotics and criminals, “The Sensation” looks at how technology can be used to increase pleasure.

While both novels share the same characters and themes, I found “The Sensation” to be a lot darker and ‘cyberpunk’ than its predecessor due to the focus on the focus on the illegal tech, neon lights and drugs ‘n’ clubs; which is a bit of a contrast to the plain living folks of Bountiful seen in “The Subjugate”. I really enjoyed how Bridgeman developed Salvi Brentt’s team into fully-realised characters, giving the book an ensemble vibe compared to the buddy-cop feel of the first novel. What initially begins as a series of unrelated murders eventually culminates into a spider’s web of a conspiracy with a deadly new drug at the heart of it, and with the nightclub district of The Sensation as the main setting, Bridgeman gets to do a futuristic version of the 80’s excess with ‘neo-yuppies’ indulging in all sorts of drug-fuelled perversions.

While Salvi Brentt has moved onto a new case, elements from her last case involving the Subjugates and the Solme Complex continue to lurk in the background. There are some surprising developments that end up creating stronger connections between Salvi and her curious nemesis: Subjugate-52. Formerly known as the sadistic serial killer Edward Moses, Subjugate-52 is the morally ambiguous character from “The Subjugate” and acts as a Hannibal Lecter-esque foil to Salvi Brentt’s Clarice. Their odd relationship is extremely compelling and while it doesn’t get much ‘screen-time’ in this particular book, it is clear that Bridgeman has an endgame in mind with these characters. The final chapters offer some interesting hints are what the third book might revolve around, as Bridgeman leaves enough unanswered questions from the first two books to tantalise fans.

As much as I enjoyed the undercover cop aspect of the novel, the book hit its stride in the final act as some shocking twists changed the direction of the series permanently. I devoured that last third of the novel in one sitting and was unable to sleep until I finished the book – and even then, needed a half hour to ‘decompress’. The ending is so bleak and downbeat that it reminded me of The Empire Strikes Back – a deliciously nihilistic ending that leaves the reader in anticipation for the next part of the series. Bridgeman puts her characters through some serious trauma, and because she does such a brilliant job at establishing them as likeable protagonists, it felt like an actual punch to the gut when the full extent of the changes were made clear. It was a pitch-perfect execution of a plot twist and just validates the accolades that Bridgeman has received for her writing.

“The Sensation” is a simply incredible sequel that does what all good sequels should do and improves upon the original in almost every way. After establishing the characters and world in the first book, the stakes are raised and the safety is off is in the second, and who knows what awaits us in the third. “The Subjugate” worked as a stunning stand-alone novel, but with this sophomore effort, Bridgeman has created a brilliant and immensely engaging series. I enjoyed this novel so much that I have to bestow the highest compliment I can think of for a writer: she inspires me to want to write myself. And with that, all that is left is to award the inevitable perfect ‘five-star’ score and implore you to check out both books, if you haven’t already. ...more

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Nov 18, 2020 Annarella rated it it was amazing

A gripping and highly entertaining techno thriller that kept me hooked.
Excellent world building and storytelling, good character development, a solid plot full of twists and turns.
It's highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine ...more

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About Amanda Bridgeman

Amanda Bridgeman

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Amanda is a Tin Duck Award winner, an Aurealis and Ditmar Awards finalist and author of several science fiction novels. Her works include the best-selling military SF/space opera AURORA series (previously published by Momentum Books/Pan Macmillan Australia), alien contact drama THE TIME OF THE STRIPES, and sci-fi crime thriller THE SUBJUGATE (published by Angry Robot Books, UK) which has been opti ...more