Beyond the Night (edition 2010)

Nicole is making me read this.

Beyond the Night
3.5 Stars

Starts out slow and the post-apocalyptic world takes some getting used to but the plot is good and the characters well-written.

Too often, post-apocalyptic books fail to provide sufficient information concerning the causes of the disaster (Ellen Connor's Dark Age Dawning trilogy, for example). Thankfully, that is not the case here as the tidbits from Lou's journal about the progression of events following the Change add an extra layer of detail and meaning to the story.

The plot revolving around a secret society that may or may not have caused the apocalypse and a nefarious group known as the Strangers, who seem to be working behind the scenes for world domination, is interesting. However, even though the villains are despicable, they fail to come across as a serious threat even at the end. The identity of the traitor is also obvious.

The romance is the weakest aspect of the book. Jade and Elliot are compelling as individuals but they lack the chemistry and heat that characterizes the secondary couple, Zoe and Quent. Elliot's gift and the ethical dilemma it presents is intriguing and Jade's strength and resilience make her an engaging heroine. Unfortunately, they fizzle as a couple.

All in all, an interesting world and the questions that remain unanswered are intriguing enough for me to continue with the series. ( )

Dr. Elliot Drake wakes up, not knowing what has fully happened, but realizes he has somehow, with his friends, have been put in some sort of stasis for fifty years. He finds that the world that he has known, has been destroyed. Only hundreds of humans are left alive, now those who are called "Strangers" control the world and are immortal, he knows that there is definitely not the world he wants to be in, but tries to make the best of current circumstances. Having been a doctor before all this had occurred, he finds out he has special gifts of healing, that allows him to save a young woman's life, that stirs up every one of his senses. Jade, after the destruction, and being held captive for three years by the "strangers", is out for revenge on those who have captured her and many innocents. Then after being healed after a brutal attack, she finds herself drawn to Elliot, whom she feels she can trust, but her minds tells her its crazy to trust someone that is a total stranger to her. But things starts to heat up, both between them intimately and in the world that will both put them in danger, but will find how strong they are together as a team.

As this is the first of this series, and the first that I have read this series, I truly loved this story. Its not everyday I read a plot like this one. It has the whole end of the world aspect, and a true evil to be fought, and how finding love can strengthen. It also had some aspects that left me feeling like I was on the edge of a cliff, very thrilling for sure. We have Elliot, whom has no idea what has truly happened, except to him and his friend everything has been destroyed, their lives and families are gone. They are just learning to survive. Then he meets Jade, who is unlike any other woman he has met. She is beautiful yet strong and capable and just as good of a fighter as he is. Even though the odds are definitely against them, they seem to come out on top, and together, and if you love a good intense romance this one is for you. Its plot is filled with thick suspense, intense passion, and a tender love that will stir you up and leaving you aching for more. There wasn't really anything that I could pin point that I disliked, it was a great story, but it seemed to have the lower end of romance that I am used to but other than that it was fantastic! I am looking forward to reading the rest of the series, and to find out what happens next! ( )

3.5 stars. A really interesting premise. ( )

I quite enjoyed this book and thought it was a great start to a very interesting series. Five men stepped out of a cave to discover it's 50 years since they went into the cave and they've been in some kind of suspended animation. The world they reenter is an entirely different one than the one they left!! There has been some kind of event of apocalyptic proportion and everything they knew is gone. They've slowly made their way to the town of Envy, which they discover used to be Las Vegas. Most of the earth's population died and earthquakes and devastating storms changed the entire geography of the world. All the states on the west coast are gone and the Pacific Ocean is at the doorstep of Envy.

As if that weren't bad enough, there are these zombie like, flesh eating creatures called gangas that while slow and stupid, are still very dangerous to the unsuspecting.

This book is centered on Dr. Elliot Drake or Dred as he's called by his friends. He was a doctor in his former life and once he emerged from the caves in Sedona along with his friends, he has an added talent, the ability to take on himself, the injury or disease of those he is trying to help. But it comes at a cost. Either he must then touch someone else and 'pass it on' or whatever it is, becomes magnified in himself.

Elliot is smitten with Jade, a 'runner'. Because communication is broken down although there is a resistance/underground trying to restore it, there is still a need for someone to travel between settlements and Jade is one of those travelers. Jade is reluctant at first to get involved with Elliot as she's overcome a horrible past and doesn't want to be under any man's thumb. But still there is a very strong attraction between the two.

It seems like I've barely scratched the surface of what's going on in this fascinating series. I loved, loved, loved Jade. She is strong and brave and dedicated to establishing connections and fighting against an even bigger threat than the gangas. She everything admirable in a heroine.

Elliot, for me - and I emphasize for me, was more on the bland side. He's the kind who wears a white hat and is more along the beta kind of hero than the alpha. But those readers who enjoy this kind of hero will probably enjoy his character a lot more than I did.

I thought the world building was excellent and the author really managed to make me 'feel' what life is like for those few who survived. While my grade isn't all that high, that's more because of my lack of connection to the hero. But certainly I enjoyed this book enough to keep reading!! ( )