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Wasteland #1
The Wanderer
Love is the most dangerous experiment of all. There is only one rule in the survive. The few remaining women are as reviled as they are worshipped, a commodity any man must pay to touch. And to touch a Wanderer, he may pay with his life. For Ezra, the risk is worth the reward. People speak his name with the same reverent terror reserved for ancient wrathful gods, but he must always be ready to fend off those who would take what's his. And what he wants to be his is Kadira. Kadira, adopted after she witnessed the slaughter of her devoted parents, has vowed never to love or need anyone. It seems only fitting that she, an outsider, accept Ezra's demand in trade for the fuel technology her clan needs-but her deep, unexpected need for him is the torture she's fought all her life to avoid. Worse, the greater her wrath, the more he seems to like it. Ezra's mercenary half delights at having the warrior woman in his arms. His scientist half can't resist the urge to see what makes her react-and what makes her explode. The real if the bond they forge is strong enough to make her want to stay. Threesomes, foursomes, boy on boy, girl on girl, boy on boy on girl, voyeurism, exhibitionism, sex at knifepoint, anal sex, ritual orgies, and, well...it's just a really dirty book.
102 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 21, 2010
About the author
Crystal Jordan
85 books258 followersCrystal Jordan is an award-winning author of paranormal and futuristic romance. She has published over 50 books, both independently as well as with publishers such as Harlequin and Kensington Books. When not writing, she works as an academic librarian at a university on the California coast.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
August 24, 2011
The Wanderer, book one in the Wasteland series, follows the story of a Wanderer Shaman after 2012's 'great burning'.
I wanted to complete the entire series before I posted my review of them. I have to say that The Wanderer started the series off very strongly with a very interesting premise of life after a solar flare scorches the earth.
I enjoyed the series and the different 'stations' of life presented all wrapped up with an erotic bow. Also, who can deny the amazingness of these covers! I've got severe Cover Envy right now. However, with the Wanderer starting the series off so strongly it was hard for the other books to keep up.
Book Two, The Whore, was good, but didn't have the advantage of being read first, so it's plot and information wasn't as interesting. Also, Bryn's character felt much younger than the 20 years she was supposed to be in the book.
Book Three, The Breeder, was a bit hard to swallow. This could be in part to my lack of enjoyment with 'love in 24hr' story lines, but it also came from the rushed feel of this book. There was also some conflicting parts of this story which grated on my nerves a bit. (I don't like to provide spoilers, so I can't go into too much detail - other than peoples feelings changed too quickly).
Book Four, The Preistess, had the advantage of wrapping the story up - neatly and tying things together. It also had the advantage of giving the true history of what occured after the radiation desolated the planet. This gave the plot a greater advance over the others; however, the Sanji (sp) character felt forced into story more than a true part of it.
Overall, this was a decent series and was worth reading.
I wanted to complete the entire series before I posted my review of them. I have to say that The Wanderer started the series off very strongly with a very interesting premise of life after a solar flare scorches the earth.
I enjoyed the series and the different 'stations' of life presented all wrapped up with an erotic bow. Also, who can deny the amazingness of these covers! I've got severe Cover Envy right now. However, with the Wanderer starting the series off so strongly it was hard for the other books to keep up.
Book Two, The Whore, was good, but didn't have the advantage of being read first, so it's plot and information wasn't as interesting. Also, Bryn's character felt much younger than the 20 years she was supposed to be in the book.
Book Three, The Breeder, was a bit hard to swallow. This could be in part to my lack of enjoyment with 'love in 24hr' story lines, but it also came from the rushed feel of this book. There was also some conflicting parts of this story which grated on my nerves a bit. (I don't like to provide spoilers, so I can't go into too much detail - other than peoples feelings changed too quickly).
Book Four, The Preistess, had the advantage of wrapping the story up - neatly and tying things together. It also had the advantage of giving the true history of what occured after the radiation desolated the planet. This gave the plot a greater advance over the others; however, the Sanji (sp) character felt forced into story more than a true part of it.
Overall, this was a decent series and was worth reading.
June 8, 2011
I really would like to have nice words to describe how good this book was.
First of all, I have to ask:
Ezra, where you were my whole life? lol
Ezra and Kadira, both have rough pasts and are trying to overcome that.
With only sex in mind, they stay together.
But deep feelings make hard for them to breakup when the moment came.
With scars branding them to their souls, they fight for themselves and for each other.
That was beyond, and I mean *very* beyond HOT.
There's lots of sex.
But it's just so rough, so raw, so... Good.
Sex have a meaning, and they are not shy at getting what they want.
(In any place/shape/way/genre you can think of!)
I just need to say...
First of all, I have to ask:
Ezra, where you were my whole life? lol
Ezra and Kadira, both have rough pasts and are trying to overcome that.
With only sex in mind, they stay together.
But deep feelings make hard for them to breakup when the moment came.
With scars branding them to their souls, they fight for themselves and for each other.
That was beyond, and I mean *very* beyond HOT.
There's lots of sex.
But it's just so rough, so raw, so... Good.
Sex have a meaning, and they are not shy at getting what they want.
(In any place/shape/way/genre you can think of!)
I just need to say...
May 6, 2010
I'll admit, I know this author and am part of this continuity series, but I have to crow about this book. The first sex scene is one of the hottest things I've ever read, and coming from someone who spends their time writing sex, that's saying a lot! Her writing is, as always, seamless, lush in a restrained way-and even though I'm a writer I don't know how else to express that-you'll just have to read her work. Her character development is superb, her use of language varied and flawless, and her story and relationship arc compelling. No one does world-building the way she does-just an awesome, awesome read!
February 27, 2013
Yeah.....this was terrible. It was like a haphazardly thrown together shot story. I thought the world had promise but this book just didn't do it for me. I believe if there had been more to the story maybe a problem to be solve or overcome....maybe it would have been better. They basically just whined about their family histories then had sex.
May 8, 2010
Wow I am so impressed with this series so far. The world building is exciting and the sexual freedom is refreshing.
I cannot wait to read the second book next week.
I cannot wait to read the second book next week.
July 7, 2011
Another great recommendation from My Whycked One! You were sooooo right about Ezra! *SWOON* Can we share him as well?? ;)
The Wanderer, to me, is kinda like an XXX version of Mad Max. It takes place way in the future, were civilization has broken themselves into clans. The Wanderers are more of the warrior clan type. Kadira & Ezra are sooo freakin' HAWT!! I can't wait to continue w/this series!! Highly recommend! BTW, anyone who follows my reviews knows I'm a sucker for 'Warnings'...here is the warning from this book!! LOVED IT!! "Warning: Threesomes, foursomes, boy on boy, girl on girl, boy on boy on girl, voyeurism, exhibitionism, sex at knifepoint, anal sex, ritual orgies, and well...it's just a really dirty book." Ok, if that don't make you want to immediately download & read, I don't know what else would!!
My fav scenes/quotes:
"How she {Kadira} would enjoy making the little blond beg. Ezra's chuckle was pure sin."
"I want to strip her and make her scream. I want to make her watch while you f*ck her man." Kadira to Ezra
"He {Ezra} was a warrior, an inventor--a man of mind and body, but for her {Kadira} he would sacrifice his very sould if it were what she needed. Anything for Kadira."
The Wanderer, to me, is kinda like an XXX version of Mad Max. It takes place way in the future, were civilization has broken themselves into clans. The Wanderers are more of the warrior clan type. Kadira & Ezra are sooo freakin' HAWT!! I can't wait to continue w/this series!! Highly recommend! BTW, anyone who follows my reviews knows I'm a sucker for 'Warnings'...here is the warning from this book!! LOVED IT!! "Warning: Threesomes, foursomes, boy on boy, girl on girl, boy on boy on girl, voyeurism, exhibitionism, sex at knifepoint, anal sex, ritual orgies, and well...it's just a really dirty book." Ok, if that don't make you want to immediately download & read, I don't know what else would!!
My fav scenes/quotes:
"How she {Kadira} would enjoy making the little blond beg. Ezra's chuckle was pure sin."
"I want to strip her and make her scream. I want to make her watch while you f*ck her man." Kadira to Ezra
"He {Ezra} was a warrior, an inventor--a man of mind and body, but for her {Kadira} he would sacrifice his very sould if it were what she needed. Anything for Kadira."
August 29, 2010
This book was awesome! What a way to introduce a new series. The first scene was a scorcher, but it didn't come across as sex-for-sex's-sake (which absolutely grates on my nerves). That alone encouraged me to keep right on reading.
I enjoyed the worldbuilding so much I wish I'd been part of this series! I could see the heroine (who was a warrior to her bones without being a bitch) in her surroundings, secure in who she was while at the same time having vulnerabilities that only the hero could understand.
Also, I'm a geek at heart, so I really appreciated how the author spun the hero's personality. I never thought I'd see a hero who could be so nerdy and smart yet so damn sexy.
Excellent, excellent novella.
I enjoyed the worldbuilding so much I wish I'd been part of this series! I could see the heroine (who was a warrior to her bones without being a bitch) in her surroundings, secure in who she was while at the same time having vulnerabilities that only the hero could understand.
Also, I'm a geek at heart, so I really appreciated how the author spun the hero's personality. I never thought I'd see a hero who could be so nerdy and smart yet so damn sexy.
Excellent, excellent novella.
August 16, 2012
In all fairness to the author, this is not my type of read. I first saw this book in one of my goodreads friends 'to read' columns. I briefly read the summary but did not click on the read more option. If I had done so, I would not have order this book. I am not into men on men, threesomes etc. It just is not my thing. However, this novella's overall concept about a dystopian society where women are reviled had great promise. Unfortunately, too much time was spent on sex and not enough time on world building and story development.
I will not recap the story. Just be aware that this is beyond erotica and deals with men on men, threesomes, foursomes, rape etc. If you can handle it, then this book should not be a problem for you.
I will not recap the story. Just be aware that this is beyond erotica and deals with men on men, threesomes, foursomes, rape etc. If you can handle it, then this book should not be a problem for you.
March 13, 2012
Why so short?! I wanted more! Kadira and Ezra had great chemistry. The foursome was hot. I loved the post-apocalyptic landscape with remnants of our world tossed in. Bring on more of Ezra's vibrating gadgets! *wink*.
I wish the story was longer because there was a lot of telling the characters inner feelings and not enough showing. I think if the story was longer we could've seen Kadira and Ezra fall in love. Even with the short length, Jordan does a great job creating a sexy atmosphere and couple you want to root for.
Now that I've met the Wanderer, I'm curious about the other three types of females in this world.
I wish the story was longer because there was a lot of telling the characters inner feelings and not enough showing. I think if the story was longer we could've seen Kadira and Ezra fall in love. Even with the short length, Jordan does a great job creating a sexy atmosphere and couple you want to root for.
Now that I've met the Wanderer, I'm curious about the other three types of females in this world.
January 11, 2013
I bought this book expecting (based on the very brief synopsis) that it was a cultural focused dystopian novel with focus on one of the 4 types of women mentioned. I was surprised to find 90% of the book was graphic sexual scenes. While Ms. Jordan is apparently very apt at her art, it was definitely not expected based on the summary. If you need something to help heat up your bedroom, I'm sure this will do the trick. If you're looking for a solid novel with fantasy-based cultural insight and well-developed characters - keep walking.
June 20, 2012
I really liked the characters and the premise, but it didn't quite work for me - I thought the sexytimes were kind of boring. I actually think this would have worked so much better as a UF or part of a dystopia series (or whatever the genre or phrasing should be). I was more curious about the clans and the world - Clan of the Mad Max Cave Bear!
June 8, 2025
So this has been on my “to read”bookshelf for over 10 years. I’m taking a dive through those since it’s now 100+ books. This one surprised me at how much I enjoyed it. Spicy from beginning to end. However, you get a chance to experience the passion grow and the walls of steel fall. Both have been through much to be who they are and can’t seem to see in themselves what they have achieved. It’s a nice quick love story that doesn’t really feel rushed. I guess it helps that they lusted after one another for years. Coming together under dubious arrangements only charged the fire and brought it to new heights.
September 4, 2010
It's actually a 3.5 star story I believe, but to even out with the other's in this series, which I've rounded down, I'll keep it at 4.
I didn't quite read this series in order, (I read The Whore first), but that wasn't really necessary.
Wasteland is a post-apocalypse almost dystopian world, where women are scarce, and therefor more treasured. Or rather, forced into the role of Whore, Breeder or Priestess. Only outside the cities women are simply part of a family, a clan. These free(er) people are called the Wanderers.
Morals are different in this future, both in the cities as with the wanderers, and I found the views on sex, bonding and relationships intriguing. I do wonder if a lack of women would really make men love men, or make sharing more frequent. In a way, the non-judgemental morals (on sex at least), made this dystopia have an utopian feel to it.
Kadira and Ezra both have issues, a feeling of not belonging because they are different, and they fit together well because they understand that feeling. For a short story, or novella, the characters and world were very well fleshed out, and for an erotic romance, the romance was really well developed.
All in all, a surprise.
I didn't quite read this series in order, (I read The Whore first), but that wasn't really necessary.
Wasteland is a post-apocalypse almost dystopian world, where women are scarce, and therefor more treasured. Or rather, forced into the role of Whore, Breeder or Priestess. Only outside the cities women are simply part of a family, a clan. These free(er) people are called the Wanderers.
Morals are different in this future, both in the cities as with the wanderers, and I found the views on sex, bonding and relationships intriguing. I do wonder if a lack of women would really make men love men, or make sharing more frequent. In a way, the non-judgemental morals (on sex at least), made this dystopia have an utopian feel to it.
Kadira and Ezra both have issues, a feeling of not belonging because they are different, and they fit together well because they understand that feeling. For a short story, or novella, the characters and world were very well fleshed out, and for an erotic romance, the romance was really well developed.
All in all, a surprise.
September 26, 2024
The 1st novella at Wasteland series
After apocalypse at 2012, Earth was broken, and the survivor build a new life. But they become unfertilized and because of that women is so rare and they divided to 4 class, The Wanderer, The Whore, The Breeder and The Priestess.
This novella tell story about Kadira, the Wanderer. Actually, she's not wanderer, but she adopted by her parents now. She became attracted to Ezra, the chieftain from another clan, but she must fight her past and her shame because she's not born Wanderer, and Ezra not easily give up woman that he love.
For the first story at this series, The Wanderer is a fresh start and I want to know about the other class, and what exactly happen to Earth after apocalypse.
Note :The novella contain many sexual scene such as anal sex, m/m scene, and menage
After apocalypse at 2012, Earth was broken, and the survivor build a new life. But they become unfertilized and because of that women is so rare and they divided to 4 class, The Wanderer, The Whore, The Breeder and The Priestess.
This novella tell story about Kadira, the Wanderer. Actually, she's not wanderer, but she adopted by her parents now. She became attracted to Ezra, the chieftain from another clan, but she must fight her past and her shame because she's not born Wanderer, and Ezra not easily give up woman that he love.
For the first story at this series, The Wanderer is a fresh start and I want to know about the other class, and what exactly happen to Earth after apocalypse.
Note :The novella contain many sexual scene such as anal sex, m/m scene, and menage
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 14, 2010
A thousand miles away from what I usually read, but from the day I heard about this new series, written by the smutketeers (Crystal Jordan, RG Alexander, Lilli Feisty and Eden Bradley (known for their red, saucy hot erotic style), I knew I had to read it.
From the first page I was drawn into this new, futuristic world of The Wasteland. And honestly, it had a whole 'Mad Max' 'Aussieland' feel to it. But that wasn't a bad thing. Not at all. I enjoyed feeling apart of this new world Ms Jordan pulled me into, and the hot scenes left nothing to the imagination, taking it that extra mile. A little more explicit than I usually read, but I enjoyed it none the less and look forward to reading the next in this series, which I think is The Whore.
From the first page I was drawn into this new, futuristic world of The Wasteland. And honestly, it had a whole 'Mad Max' 'Aussieland' feel to it. But that wasn't a bad thing. Not at all. I enjoyed feeling apart of this new world Ms Jordan pulled me into, and the hot scenes left nothing to the imagination, taking it that extra mile. A little more explicit than I usually read, but I enjoyed it none the less and look forward to reading the next in this series, which I think is The Whore.
December 10, 2010
What an interesting world. Yet somewhat scary. What happened to Kadira's parents was just horrible! But I loved that she was able to talk about it with Ezra. I also love that Ezra was able to talk with Kadira about his shame growing up. And I loved that Ezra and Kadira ultimately understood each other and each other's needs. Looking forward to the others. Oh, and if you're not into reading about sex, you might want to skip this one. There was a LOT of sex... lots of multipartner and same-sex sex. And I mean right out of the gate, bam. Lol. It was hot sex, though. I'm just sayin.
November 21, 2015
The Wanderer is set in a dystopian society where most sexual practices are tolerated - as the blurb says, it's a dirty book - , much technology is not existent, and humanity seems to be only concerned with day-to-day survival. The overall plot of the book is tied to the myriad sex scenes and is only concerned with getting the two characters to "fall in love". The setting is intriguing, but I can't see the relationship lasting between the two main characters.
April 17, 2015
I'm giving this novella 2 stars, solely because the writing wasn't that bad and there were some really HOT scenes, especially the opening one.
Oh, boy! A girl gets all flustered just thinking about it. *grins*
All in all, nothing special. These kinds of story usually don't have much of a plot. It's all about the sex.
May 20, 2010
I'm not usually into futuristic/post-apocalyptic books, but this one was GOOD!! The story really draws you in & you can really picture how the Rites look, sound, & smell. I didn't want the book to end!
June 18, 2011
Wow. Such a HOT story. "Wasteland" (as a series) got a fantastic opening piece.
Jordan certainly surprised me with such a breathtaking first chapter.
Ezra and Kadira were fantastic characters and their HEA in-the-making was awesome. I really liked it and recommend it!
Jordan certainly surprised me with such a breathtaking first chapter.
Ezra and Kadira were fantastic characters and their HEA in-the-making was awesome. I really liked it and recommend it!
October 30, 2011
t is an interesting world the author has introduced. I liked that both Kadira and Ezra were attracted to each other but so reluctant to fall in love. It was a good story.
September 16, 2011
3.5 Stars
Loads of smokin hot sex. S-M-O-K-I-N!!
Loads of smokin hot sex. S-M-O-K-I-N!!
October 18, 2011
A surprising amount of detail and development for something so short. I enjoyed it.
July 30, 2012
This was a great short read. I enjoyed it so much I have started reading the second book and have the third one lined up.
September 2, 2012
Mostly ... ahem. Grown up, dystopian ahem. Apparently a series, but I won't be reading farther in it.
January 23, 2013
Short story. 83 pages. Harsh conditions bring about harsh seductions. This story has it all and mean ALL!
August 2, 2013
Anything written by this author keeps me on my toes, great characters, story lines and wit. She rocks between the pages.
December 19, 2013
I read this a while back, and I'm pretty sure I liked it a lot.
January 29, 2014
Too raunchy for my tastes. I don't mind erotica and I'm not a prude. I liked the two main characters. And the world building was interesting. But I'll probably pass on reading the rest of the series.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews