REVIEW - SUBVERSIVE - INSURRECTION SERIES BY ANELA DEEN

Title: Subversive

Series: Insurrection

Author: Anela Deen

Release Date: 2nd April 2016

BLURB from Goodreads

In a not so distant future, an unprepared humanity barely managed to repel the Locusts when they invaded Earth. But the long war left its mark on mankind and the Establishment was founded to ensure it would never come so close to destruction from an alien force again. Now, decades later, the world is run by this single governing entity. Loyalty is rewarded. Disloyalty is met with corrective action. 

As an inquisitor for the past twenty years, Gemson used torture and interrogation to root out subversives. He’d worked hard to earn his cold, hard reputation. Now he finds himself on the subject’s side of the interrogation table. Loyalty? Some bonds transcend the laws of state.

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PURCHASE LINKS

Amazon US

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INITIAL THOUGHTS

I'm looking forward to reading this short story/novella, it sound a little different to what I have been reading lately. I'm not entirely sure what to expect from this short story....what genre it will fall into, post apocalyptic, dystopian or sci-fi. . .I guess I'll find out when I read it!

THOUGHTS WHILST READING

What has Gemson done to be on the receiving end of an interrogation instead of being the interrogator.

REVIEW

I received a free e-copy of this novella directly from the author in exchange for my honest review. So the cover is fairly simplistic, after reading the short story/novella I'd say the cover could be an image of the sky during the fire fight with the rebel albatross!

So would the cover make me pick this one up from a book store shelf? Probably not on the cover alone. . .though I reckon I would want to read the blurb too.

This is going to be a difficult review to write as I obviously do not want to give certain details/possible spoilers. I thoroughly enjoyed the novella. We only meet three main characters, and learn how their lives have become interconnected. The novella begins with Gemson sat alone tied up to a chair in an interrogation room. Gemson is thinking about  irony of his present position, usually he is the interrogator. The one doling out the punishments and extracting the information needed. So he is counting down and going through the "procedure" in his mind he reflects on the techniques of beating down a prisoner both mentally and physically. At the moment he is in stage one, which consists of passive pain and 24 hours of solitude. His mind wanders slightly wondering when the next phase will begin and how he will cope with it. Who will they send to interrogate him? Who will be dishing out the active pain?

Gemson can hardly believe his eyes when he see's who has been sent to interrogate . . to break him. It's Ellie! There are no pleasantries as Ellie starts straight in on the interrogation Where is the Albatross? How did the Albatross escape? Gemson is battered with question after question as well as being physically assaulted. All techniques to get him to talk. 

Suddenly there's an explosion . . . and everything changes. Ellie soon has all the answers to her questions, and the reason for his actions. Will she appreciate and understand Gemsons actions and the reasons behind them.. . ..I'd say this novella sets the scene and introduces the main characters of the series. It slowly builds up the suspense and has you thinking and asking lots of questions, so it certainly keeps you reading to the very end and it left me wanting to read more! There are so many options for what is to come in this novella series.

Did I enjoy the novella? Yes! Would I recommend this novella? Yes, it's a quick, intriguing read. Would I want to read more of this series? Yes, please! Would I want to read other titles by this author? Yes, I would take a closer look at books written by this author.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Great start to a possibly brilliant series!