Review: Shadow Falling (The Scorpius Syndrome #2)

Shadow Falling (The Scorpius Syndrome #2)

by Rebecca Zanetti

Blurb:

Before the Scorpius Syndrome tore through North America and nearly wiped out the population, Vivienne Wellington was the FBI’s best profiler. The bacteria got her anyway. But she survived. She recovered. And when she woke up from a drug-nightmare of captivity, her skills as a hunter of men had gone from merely brilliant to full-on uncanny. Her mysterious rescuer wants her to put them to the test. But no matter how tempting he is, with his angel’s eyes and devil’s tongue, Vinnie knows she shouldn’t trust him.

If the FBI were still around they would rate Raze Shadow as one of the bad guys. His military training can’t wipe out his association with the Mercenaries, the most feared gang in a thousand miles. His loyalties are compromised. He won’t even tell Vinnie his real name. But there’s no FBI in the new America of fear and firepower, only instinct and risk.

And the way his arms wrap around Vinnie tells its own story. Whatever else Raze is concealing, he can’t hide his desire . . .

Themes: post-apocalyptic world

Rating: 4 stars

Heat Rating: 

Review:

I remain extremely wary of saying that I am loving this series, but as the series progresses I have to say the concept is growing on me.  I am NOT a fan of any type of zombie story, but the scientific probability and obvious research that went into this series before it was begun show me that it’s not just your typical brain eater plot. Rebecca’s skill in making her characters so believably destroyed and secretive makes the reader even more interested in them.  We met Raze in the first story and along with the leaders of his new community readers were suspicious of his sudden appearance at the gates of the compound.  Raze feels instantly attracted to Viv, even as he knows that he will have to betray her in order to get what he desperately needs. She has come to them on the heels of a rescue, where she was held by the president of the United States, who is in fact a ripper, one of the people that survive the Scorpius infection only to become sociopaths.  Viv is still trapped in that terror in her mind and in a lot of ways is terrified of where her future might be leading.  As they spend more time together, neither of them understanding the pull that won’t let them walk away from each other, Raze and Viv become inseparable.  The chance of two people in this new and terrifying world of Scorpius finding an HEA is slim to none, but they both understand that the only way to find happiness is to grab all the pleasure you could whenever you could.  Raze is a bit of an enigma and I can’t say I was rooting for him in the beginning, but once he showed his true colors and admitted to his purpose, begging for the help he needed and actually working with his new family, I began to like him more. Viv lives in fear every moment, but she can’t resist the sensual Raze and when she realizes how much he needs her, she does everything in her power to the be warrior, the woman, he needs.  I am enjoying the series, though I cannot say I am in love with it, but as always Rebecca Zanetti’s skill with words, characters, and world building makes every moment of reading the story worthwhile and enjoyable.  I am looking forward to where the series is going and hoping that there is a brighter future for humanity in the coming stories. 

*ebook provided by publisher (via netgalley) for the purpose of an honest and unbiased review.  No compensation was provided.