Title: Operative
Series: Insurrection Bk2
Author: A. Deen
Release Date: 13th May 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.
For Ellie, the job of an analyst was simple: Evaluate her target’s patterns, make a virtual connection, garner trust, and ascertain identity and location. Falling in love with the Albatross — the Establishment’s most notorious subversive and leader of the insurgency — complicates matters. Now she’ll have to decide which to betray: her duty or her heart.
PURCHASE LINKS
INITIAL THOUGHTS
After reading Subversive, I was really looking forward to reading more of this novella series. I definitely want to learn more about the mysterious Albatross.
THOUGHTS WHILST READING
Who is this person behind the mystifying, elusive and enigmatic name & image of the "Albatross" who leads the insurgency against the all powerful "establishment"? What is his real name? Who was he before he became the Albatross?
MY REVIEW
I received a free e-copy of this novella, directly from the author in exchange for my honest review. The cover is again simplistic, what else can I say really as it's the same as the previous novella cover. At least the covers can be seen as a "matching" set.
So would the cover make me pick this one up from a book store shelf? As I said about the cover of Subversive, I probably not on the cover alone. . .though I reckon I would want to read the blurb after seeing the genre the book would be filed under, so yep I'd pick the book up from a shelf to look at and learn more about it.
This book quite literally picks up a few minutes in time after Subversive ends. Ellie is regaining consciousness, wondering where she is and what has happened. She vaguely remembers being hit hard by a guard, her head feeling like it would explode and then black nothingness until now.. . .then she notices the presence of a male with fair hair, slumped back in his chair at her bedside, his head and chin tucked down onto his chest sleeping.
In this book we witness Ellie discovering more about the young man sleeping by her bedside also known as the Albatross. He trustingly gives her his real name, and disregards her past with the "establishment" taking her at her word, or rather the words they have both exchanged over the past 6 months. Is the Albatross making a big mistake in being so trusting of the still fairly naive new establishment operative Ellie?
Ellie is also worried about her brother Gemson, who had aided her escape with the Albatross. It seemed strange to her that her brother who had been a strong part of the establishment would even consider aiding the insurgents. Could he have been about to join them? Where was he now? Had the establishment killed him for aiding her? Could the insurgents have a point about the establishment being so restrictive and authoritative? Surely the establishment is needed in case the locusts ever return? These are just a few of the questions Ellie asks herself during this novella.
We also discover secrets about the backgrounds of both Ellie and the Albatross in this novella. Once again the action within the novella keeps you at the edge of your seat, eagerly reading on, I could have read on and on. I also feel I could talk and talk about this novella series and its characters. This novella does answer some of the questions raised in Subversive, but also rises many, many more that need to be explored in the next episode of this engaging novella series.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Another great installment in this amazingly addictive novella series. Looking forward to reading more! In fact as I finished reading this one I went straight on Amazon UK to purchase Inquisitor!
THE REST OF THE
INSURRECTION SERIES SO FAR. . .
Book One
Title: Subversive
Series: Insurrection Bk1
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.
PURCHASE LINKS
Book Three
Title: Inquisitor
Series: Insurrection Bk3
Release Date: 15th July 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.
Before the war, they called Harlow the Butcher. The Establishment calls him Inquisitor and he’s been handed his most intriguing subject: the Albatross, leader of the insurgency. But strange orders frustrate Harlow’s work. When an unexpected visitor arrives with an interesting proposition, Harlow might have the solution he needs. If not, well, his knives don’t care where the screams come from.
PURCHASE LINKS
