Hello everyone!
Honestly, I'm SO stoked, and so excited to be reviewing this book. I didn't anticipate to enjoy the series as much as I am, because originally when I picked up the first book I totally expected it to just be a sort of easy-read, mind-numbing romance where the main characters do the deed more than there's substance to plot.
Turns out, there's plenty of that to go around AND the plot is even better!
I'm all for espionage and grand conspiracies, and the theories are thickening now more than ever, the further we go into the universe at large.
We started in a pretty self-contained group, but it's expanded SO. FREAKING. MUCH.
And I'm totally here for it, particularly with what I can see coming in the not-so-far future.
Before I get carried away, though, let's just sit down and review the latest installment in this riveting series, shall we? Survaine, if it pleases the audience.
In case we need a refresh, however: Sziveria rose out of the ruins of our world after a cataclysmic event which literally rocked it to is foundations, leaving a few nations clawing back after what they call the dark, Primal Years. Strong talents that people used to have are now passed down as genetic traits and people marry to strengthen them and/or produce them, the winters are long and brutal and the land is inhospitable at best and downright dangerous at worst.
Aaand there's this nefarious group operating in the shadows that wants to make a weaponized version of a rabies syndrome that's running around the globe, then take over or at least form their own independent nation that's above all the rest.
We're not entirely sure yet, but we're getting there!
Survaine picks up right where the previous book left off, which is to say, we get the flashback with Ramsey and Caidon that immediately establishes a connection between them, but he's off on assignment (and happens to be one of those infamous assassins, too) so he's not exactly marriage material. He does, however, ask her to wait for him.
Ramsey, having just testified to put a notorious high society lord in prison, is basically shunned by society and wanted to end things that night, but Caidon convinced her otherwise ... as well as convinced her to wait, which she's definitely done.
Of course that doesn't stop her ex from trying to schmooze his way back into her life, making it look like he's doing HER a favour by wanting her for his mistress. Ramsey's like, uh, no thanks? And luckily for her Caidon's also in the country and talking to Voklane because someone falsified an order from Voklane's institution to have Ramsey assassinated.
And naturally, the only way to protect her is to marry her to Caidon.
Oh also, she has a very, very rare genetic talent, which her brother was clocking into in Asherwick but wanted to keep from her if possible since he knows how dangerous it is, though apparently someone else seems to know it too. That's why they want her off the board.
Because her talent is basically translating - but all she has to do is hear someone speak a foreign language while she's looking at some writing in said same language, and boom. Translation guaranteed.
Now, brother dearest made Voklane swear never to use Ramsey for this fight they're in, but in the end the guy has no choice after the ex-fiancé (oh yeah, they were engaged, and he dropped her like a hot potato after that trial) tries to assault her. It turns out that she's getting really, really close to cracking a code they've been chasing for months now - human Enigma, anyone?
Or perhaps just a female Alan Turing. I can't really help it, it's got his accolades written ALL OVER and I'm so here for it, because the man was a bona fide genius.
Anyway, back to the show: Ramsey does in fact crack the code. And it turns out that there's a vast, global network of human trafficking that's too horrible to comprehend, starting in places where people won't be missed, though for what reason, we still don't know.
What we DO know, however, is that there's a big shipment that's just off-shore at a winter-frozen landscape which won't be able to make port until the ice thaws, and Caidon might be the only one who can get to them in time. Ramsey, on the other hand, has to go with him because he needs her skills with languages to be able to move freely enough.
This isn't without dangers, obviously, and they're almost taken out before reaching her brother and his wife in Italyssa, where Ramsey has a little showdown with Jonathon because a, she's a grown up who can make her own choices, and b, HE DOES NOT GET A SAY IN WHAT SHE DOES WITH HER HUSBAND, OKAY?
LOL I love this girl, can you tell?
Anyway, after coming kind of full-circle with Katria and Sean welcoming their first child into the world, fitting since we started the journey with them, Caidon and Ramsey take off into the wilderness, hustling to try and beat the ship to it. Their job is to figure out where it'll make port, and then to contact the man called Wolvenguard, who has a bond to several Ruthenian wolves and will be able to help them in their mission.
And oh also, speaking of Ruthenia (one of these nations that rose post-apocalypse): they have this thing where they mate. No, I'm serious, they really pride themselves on being fully Gen-Talented, and seem to be super exclusive with partnerships and stuff, but Caidon here has effectively mated with Ramsey.
And man is it both funny and painful to watch at the same time, because OBVIOUSLY there's some sexy time involved in this book, too. In between trying not to get themselves killed or caught in some sort of uprising while they're at it, that is.
But they make it to their destination, and eventually crack the whole thing wide open, with the wolves' help, although there's a little scuffle in the aftermath when the one Ruthenian who's with them - him and his wolf that is - tries to literally just take the poor victims out with said wolf, because apparently, it's shameful that they allowed themselves to be drugged and used this way? And their government wants to just ... erase them??? Pretend it never happened??
Listen, Caidon makes sure no one can touch their beast master as he breaks the bond between the other man and his wolf and binds said wolf to him, because nah, sir. You can just sit down and shut the hell up.
Turns out, the drug business we've uncovered in previous books is a little more nefarious overall, because it's what this organization is using to get people under their thumb. At least this boatload is safe, though, and Ramsey and Caidon sail back to Sziveria happy to know they've made a difference - and Ramsey makes sure to promise Caidon she's going with him on his next assignment, whichever that will be, and wherever it will be, at that.
Jonathon, after all, has a wife now, an adopted son, and another child on the way, so he doesn't really need her. But the people out there DO, so that's her new mission in life.
And with the promise of Wolvenguard being the next book in the series, this is where we leave her!
Because you betcha there's intrigue - and lots of it!
We're finally starting to get into the thick of what's happening in this post-cataclysmic event world, but we still don't know details of who or what the purpose of it all is (beyond carving out an empire for themselves out of the shadows I suppose). However, I have a feeling more and more will be revealed with each book, and I am HERE for it!
Caidon being the Master Guardian who has Ruthenian genetics so he forms a bond with her I don't think we've seen with Katria and Sean adds a little oomph. I also could be wrong about the bond though. It's been a bit lol I have to go back and read it all again, but there are worse things!
Bottom line: I loved them. I loved how they thought before acting and things didn't just fall into place but had to be worked through, whether their bond, their families, or their dangerous situations.
I loved catching up with Katria and Sean in particular, as the duo who started it all. I'm so happy for them!
The author's writing style continues to impress, and we get more than enough crumbs in each book to want to learn more from the next one.
And man ... I wanna read about Deklan now. His one sentence "I am the Wolvengard" was enough to make me go weak at the knees. He's the alpha we didn't know we needed! So yes please, sign me UP.
If you want to read about perseverance, loyalty, love, new arrivals and high stakes, be sure to pick up Survaine!
Now. When are Voklane and Delanee getting their story??? Oh ho ho, yes indeed, our Voklane is tangling with Deklan's sister it looks like, based on their interactions in this book, and I AM HERE FOR IT. I'm here for it all.
Seriously, if you haven't picked this series up yet, what are you even waiting for?
xx
*image not mine
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