Strain (Strain, #2) in Riptide Publishing

Dec 19, 2013 Leanne rated it really liked it

Shelves: mm, romance, made-me-cry, hurt-comfort, restricted-freedom, kinky, dub-con, hot, dystopia, d-s

4.5 stars

God, what better book to read after a cheerfully flat Regency romance?! This was just what I needed- dark and atmospheric with kinky sex in abandoned buildings and zombies lurking around every corner. But what could easily have been PWP turned into something more thoughtful, deeper. I loved that it took a while for Rhys and Darius to figure out that what they had together worked. Clearly, they have a way to go still, and I would have loved to have seen more of the two making a connectio ...more

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Feb 21, 2014 Laylah Hunter added it

Shelves: m-slash-m, dystopia, and-i-feel-fine

I sure did sneak off from my desk to keep reading this any time I could catch a spare moment today.

Military post-apocalyptic adventure with heavy erotic elements and a nicely understated emotional build. Fuck-or-die in a context where it can be explored seriously—this is very much a novel about survival, about how much a determined person will agree to when "or die" is the other option. Which means it has some bleak moments and a lot of sex where consent is severely compromised. But it is ultima ...more

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Aug 24, 2014 Absynthe rated it it was amazing

Shelves: m-m, bdsm, first-time, cops-emts-soldiers-detectives, post-apocalyptic, 6-stars, angst, braiiiiiins, horror

Phenomenal. Exceptional world-building, plot and characters. The end moved me to tears. Absolutely amazing.

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Oct 18, 2013 Adara rated it it was amazing

So, that was an incredibly intense, fantastic read. It will not be for everyone because it focuses on some darker issues of a post-apocalyptic society, including dubious consent (bordering on non-consent in the mind of at least one character).

In this case, a virus intended for biological warfare was mishandled and released to the general populace. A few batallions of soldiers were infected with the Alpha strain, increasing their speed, stamina, and strength. It was designed to mutate into the Be ...more

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Dec 03, 2013 Tj rated it really liked it

Shelves: have, have-kindle, read-2014

I have to start with saying that I want to give a strong warning about the book. It is stated, although obliquely, that there is dub-con/rape in this story. PLEASE if this bothers you or brings about flash-backs for you DON’T READ. I don’t have mental issues with this in stories and I had a hard time, in places, with this in this book. It is a central plot point but it is done over and over and is emotionally devastating for a lot of readers. I urge you to listen to this warning since this is a I have to start with saying that I want to give a strong warning about the book. It is stated, although obliquely, that there is dub-con/rape in this story. PLEASE if this bothers you or brings about flash-backs for you DON’T READ. I don’t have mental issues with this in stories and I had a hard time, in places, with this in this book. It is a central plot point but it is done over and over and is emotionally devastating for a lot of readers. I urge you to listen to this warning since this is a VERY sensitive subject.

So, onwards. The author does a magnificent job with her writing. The world that is created is dramatic and vivid. I believe if it wasn’t for the above plot line this book would be a lot more popular. The way the author describes everything and the characters contain therein makes this book fascinating. The plot line flows logically and meaningfully. I will say I had a little glitch with the two MC’s relationship. It felt a little cold. I didn’t feel that special something contain within it. It lacked that special connection that I feel with other couples.

The characters are interesting. I think the author does a good job in making all the characters stand out. She makes them interesting individuals in and of themselves. I agree with those that hope that this book creates an ongoing series. The others in the group need to get their special someone even if it isn’t a “committed” relationship. The way the author has set up this world relationships don’t have to be “committed” to be loving and special.

I really liked this book. The world building was extremely satisfying. The characters were compelling and vivid. The plot was interesting and engaging. My two things that caused this book to drop in rating was the continuation of the dub-con/raping that occurred. It was just built a little too much for my taste. This threw me out of the story. It caused me to become way too uncomfortable with the direction the story was heading. The other was the lack of connection between the two MC’s that I talked about earlier. I really wanted to rate this higher but I just couldn’t do that with these two items.
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Jan 03, 2014 ~*Bhook-Junkhie~ rated it it was amazing

Shelves: m-m, sci-fi-fantasy, wicked-reads-in-2014

4.5 STARS!

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Jan 31, 2014 Nur rated it really liked it

Shelves: m-m

4.25 stars

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Jan 10, 2019 Marco rated it really liked it

Shelves: e-book, m-m, monogamy-is-boooring

The writing is phenomenal, the smut made me fan myself a few times, and other than a couple of plot holes, dragging scenes and an unfortunate lack of epilogue (the ending was too abrupt), I bestow my "highly recommended" seal on this one. ...more

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