laurenjodi's review
3.0
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.
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.
shan198025's review against another edition
3.0
Overall it was ok. It wasn't as great as I thought it would be, maybe because I never felt that great of a connection to the characters. As far as apocalyptic fiction goes it really didn't do anything for me.
perfectlymisaligned's review against another edition
2.0
I was so excited to find a book combining so many unique elements that I love; post-apocalyptic mayhem, adventure, paranormal romance and zombies. How could it disappoint, right? Unfortunately, after a promising start, this book completely fell apart.
For the first 75 pages, I was riveted to this story. It was only after the band of survivors made their way to the city of Envy (a barren version of Las Vegas) that things went south for me. The story became less a zombie ass-kicking adventure, and more a retread of cliched para-romance themes. I won't get into specifics, since I don't want to spoil the 'twists' for anyone who plans on reading this, but I will just say that I rolled my eyes several times. And I have the say the last third of this book worked on my patience, and there was a LOT of skimming. To be honest, I was very happy to see this novel come to an end, which is unfortunate considering how excited I was when I began this book. :(
For the first 75 pages, I was riveted to this story. It was only after the band of survivors made their way to the city of Envy (a barren version of Las Vegas) that things went south for me. The story became less a zombie ass-kicking adventure, and more a retread of cliched para-romance themes. I won't get into specifics, since I don't want to spoil the 'twists' for anyone who plans on reading this, but I will just say that I rolled my eyes several times. And I have the say the last third of this book worked on my patience, and there was a LOT of skimming. To be honest, I was very happy to see this novel come to an end, which is unfortunate considering how excited I was when I began this book. :(
moviemavengal's review against another edition
4.0
Great world building! So excited to read something different - a SF romance!
ezichinny's review against another edition
3.0
Dystopian novels are tough ones for me. Their subject matter lends them more towards the horror trope in my opinion, so it's usually the romance that keeps me interested. The romance was there but I didn't connect with the main characters Elliott Drake and Jade Redfern.
I will say the narrator Sebastian Fields did a good job, but I found the plot to be a tad dry. Elliott and a group of guys survived 50 years in a cave when an apocalyptic event occurred. Various survivors now exhibit a supernatural power and Elliott, who was a doctor prior to his hibernation, inherited a healing power. Jade had been hiding after being a prison by some creatures but she has joined the resistance to fight off the alien creatures who have set up camp on earth.
Elliott and Jade kind of had insta-love but I found it okay as the world had changed and everyone needed comfort and the peace that comes from having a partner. But they had a constant tug of war as they were establishing their power dynamic and they were both pretty stubborn. I found the book to be slow but I realize the author was engaged in world and character building. So I expect book 2 to be faster paced. All in all, it was a good beginning to the series. I will try book 2
I will say the narrator Sebastian Fields did a good job, but I found the plot to be a tad dry. Elliott and a group of guys survived 50 years in a cave when an apocalyptic event occurred. Various survivors now exhibit a supernatural power and Elliott, who was a doctor prior to his hibernation, inherited a healing power. Jade had been hiding after being a prison by some creatures but she has joined the resistance to fight off the alien creatures who have set up camp on earth.
Elliott and Jade kind of had insta-love but I found it okay as the world had changed and everyone needed comfort and the peace that comes from having a partner. But they had a constant tug of war as they were establishing their power dynamic and they were both pretty stubborn. I found the book to be slow but I realize the author was engaged in world and character building. So I expect book 2 to be faster paced. All in all, it was a good beginning to the series. I will try book 2
loverofromance's review against another edition
4.0
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!
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!
aquariandancer's review
4.0
Envy Chronicles Book One.
Dr. Elliot Drake, Wyatt, Quent Fielding, Simon Japp and Bruno "Fence" Washington were in a cave in Sedona when the world as they knew it changed. One moment, Elliot, Wyatt and Quent were caving with their guides Lenny and Fence, the next 50 years had passed and they woke up with special abilities. Now they must traverse a land teeming with Gangas (a version of the Chinese Jiangshi). While searching for answers the group comes upon some teens being attacked by the Gangas and rescues them. The teens lead them to Envy, where Elliot and his friends heard they could find said answers.
Narration: Sebastian Fields narrates the story in a steady cadence. He distinguishes voices a bit, but not too much. He does not try to imitate a woman's voice by raising the pitch of his, which makes this more of a reading than acting narration.
If you're looking for a story with zombie-like creatures without the brain-eating and gore, this is the book for you!
Dr. Elliot Drake, Wyatt, Quent Fielding, Simon Japp and Bruno "Fence" Washington were in a cave in Sedona when the world as they knew it changed. One moment, Elliot, Wyatt and Quent were caving with their guides Lenny and Fence, the next 50 years had passed and they woke up with special abilities. Now they must traverse a land teeming with Gangas (a version of the Chinese Jiangshi). While searching for answers the group comes upon some teens being attacked by the Gangas and rescues them. The teens lead them to Envy, where Elliot and his friends heard they could find said answers.
Narration: Sebastian Fields narrates the story in a steady cadence. He distinguishes voices a bit, but not too much. He does not try to imitate a woman's voice by raising the pitch of his, which makes this more of a reading than acting narration.
If you're looking for a story with zombie-like creatures without the brain-eating and gore, this is the book for you!
buuboobaby's review
2.0
2.5 stars
I loved the premise of Beyond the Night, and was enthralled for the first quarter of the book. Then the focus shifted to the romance between Elliott and Jade, and I just wasn't feeling it. Elliott transforms into Alpha-idiot - out of nowhere, because he showed no tendencies to be anything other than a strong, capable, yet caring guy - and all of sudden was all Mine, Mine, Mine. Jade came off as heartless when she didn't care enough about him to give him the reassurance he needed. And I'm still grossed out by the scene when they finally hook up, but with a bloody corpse in the next room. What a turnoff! Ugh!
I loved the premise of Beyond the Night, and was enthralled for the first quarter of the book. Then the focus shifted to the romance between Elliott and Jade, and I just wasn't feeling it. Elliott transforms into Alpha-idiot - out of nowhere, because he showed no tendencies to be anything other than a strong, capable, yet caring guy - and all of sudden was all Mine, Mine, Mine. Jade came off as heartless when she didn't care enough about him to give him the reassurance he needed. And I'm still grossed out by the scene when they finally hook up, but with a bloody corpse in the next room. What a turnoff! Ugh!