A Book Obsession..: Early Review: Terminated by Rachel Caine

Early Review: Terminated by Rachel Caine

, by Kt Clapsadl

Terminated by Rachel Caine

Revivalist #3

In New York Times bestselling author Rachel Caine’s latest Revivalist novel, Bryn Davis’s problems quickly turn from dead to worse…

Already addicted to the pharmaceutical drug that keeps her body from decomposing, Bryn has to stop a secretive group of rich and powerful investors from eliminating the existing Returné addicts altogether. To ensure their plan to launch a new, military-grade strain of nanotech, the investors’ undead assassin—who just happens to be the ex-wife of Bryn’s lover Patrick—is on the hunt for anyone that stands in their way.

And while Bryn’s allies aren’t about to go down without a fight, the secret she’s been keeping threatens to put those closest to her in even more danger. Poised to become a monster that her own side—and her own lover—will have to trap and kill, Bryn needs to find the cure to have any hope of preserving the lives of her friends, and her own dwindling humanity…

Bryn Davis thought things couldn't get much worse since dying and being revived by the drug returne. A drug which she is dependent on daily to keep from decomposing, or at least she was until she was infected with a new strain of the technology. One that makes her previous condition looks like a walk in the park. She no longer needs booster meds, instead she needs protein, and lots of it. Problem is, her body isn't picky about how it acquires it in times of need, even if that means consuming live flesh. Bryn has now become the monster she's always feared, and with her darker instincts taking over a bit more each day, it's only a matter of time before she loses control. She'll have to find a way to bring the company down once and for all before they create an army just like her, even if it means sacrificing herself

Even though TERMINATED is the third book in the series, it still amazed me just how real these characters are. Bryn is so strong yet vulnerable, especially as she tries to cope with the hand she's been dealt and not lose herself in the process. Patrick is the stoic soldier who will move heaven and earth to protect Bryn, even if it means doing some questionable things. Riley is the hardass FBI agent who you both loathe and sympathize with. Joe is the awesomely hilarious friend who comes with some pretty kick butt skills himself. Then there's Manny with his crazy paranoia and his girlfriend Pansy who tries to manage it all. Don't even get me started on the one big bad, Jane. She puts the creep in creepy. I could go on and on. Everything about these characters is so realistic that while you are reading the story, you can't help but be sucked right in, making this my favorite type of book.

I finished this book almost a week ago, and honestly I'm still left reeling from that ending. Not to say it was a bad one, quite the contrary actually. It's just that I was not expecting the turn of events that happened which completely derailed my prediction of how things would turn out in the end. That being said, I really enjoyed this twist as it's more satisfying than my previous imaginations would have been. Also, I'll be the first to admit that I am incredibly hard on series ending books. I just grow very attached to characters and more often than not I feel left down by the end of their journey when things aren't as settled as I would like. Now sometimes the opposite happens, and things are left almost too settled where the happily ever after is too perfect, that it somehow lessens the believabilty. When it comes to TERMINATED however, Rachel Caine seems to have found the perfect balance between the two, leaving us with an ending that feels complete, but also isn't too cookie cutter perfect. It's an ending that will leave you with a sigh of contention, and I couldn't have hoped for any better.

I'm a huge fan of Rachel Caine's work, especially since I can pretty much guarantee a solid block of an entertaining read from anything she's written. The Revivalist series is just another example of her pure talent, and one that I highly recommend. From heart pounding action to characters you can really get behind and a fantastic finish to the Revivalist series, TERMINATED is one book you won't want to miss!

(Received a copy from the publisher)

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