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kylek's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This book managed to balance both timelines perfectly somehow. I was invested in both so every time it switched I still wanted to read the new one instead of getting annoyed. Criminal and law enforcer pairings just really do it for me. Plus gays. I'll definitely be picking up the sequels at some point.
paper_aphid's review
I only got about 3 chapters in before I couldn't handle the constant change between past and present every chapter. it was too much for my tiny brain
a_reader_obsessed's review against another edition
4.0
4 Hearts!
Now that’s what a spy espionage mercenary story should be, and it’s no surprise at the multitude of readers already singing this book’s praises!
Know that Jack is a government man, ex military, and strongly patriotic. When his deep undercover assignment investigating a shady businessman is ruined by top ranking assassin Ethan Blade, he’s not sure what to think when the mysterious and oh so deadly man saves his ass instead of kills it.
Ensue alternating chapters of “then” and “now”, as one slowly sees what happens a year ago when Jack and Ethan meet, clash, fight and slowly, but quickly, develop a tenuous trust that’s tested when they reunite again. Though my impatient self was chomping at the bit wanting to know all the details, the process of what evolves is cleverly revealed. This was a very effective way to tell the story, keeping me on edge with constant guessing at the fast paced progression.
Narrated by Rowan Scott, I thought he did a great job, especially with the various accents. For those that need to know, there’s not huge differences in character distinction, but due to the well written story and Scott’s nuanced emotions, this was a very consistent entertaining listen.
This obviously kept my interest as it alternates between time, peppered with plenty of action, conflicting feels, and a complex mystery as Ethan and Jack unfold a top level conspiracy and a traitor who only these two working together can bring down.
Fast, intense, sexy. I look forward to reading (and/or listening) to the rest of this impressive series!
Thank you to the author/publisher for the audio in exchange for a honest review<
Now that’s what a spy espionage mercenary story should be, and it’s no surprise at the multitude of readers already singing this book’s praises!
Know that Jack is a government man, ex military, and strongly patriotic. When his deep undercover assignment investigating a shady businessman is ruined by top ranking assassin Ethan Blade, he’s not sure what to think when the mysterious and oh so deadly man saves his ass instead of kills it.
Ensue alternating chapters of “then” and “now”, as one slowly sees what happens a year ago when Jack and Ethan meet, clash, fight and slowly, but quickly, develop a tenuous trust that’s tested when they reunite again. Though my impatient self was chomping at the bit wanting to know all the details, the process of what evolves is cleverly revealed. This was a very effective way to tell the story, keeping me on edge with constant guessing at the fast paced progression.
Narrated by Rowan Scott, I thought he did a great job, especially with the various accents. For those that need to know, there’s not huge differences in character distinction, but due to the well written story and Scott’s nuanced emotions, this was a very consistent entertaining listen.
This obviously kept my interest as it alternates between time, peppered with plenty of action, conflicting feels, and a complex mystery as Ethan and Jack unfold a top level conspiracy and a traitor who only these two working together can bring down.
Fast, intense, sexy. I look forward to reading (and/or listening) to the rest of this impressive series!
Thank you to the author/publisher for the audio in exchange for a honest review<
fyarae's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
sylvia221's review against another edition
5.0
It is absolutely the best thriller I've ever read. It was mesmerizing and I savored every word. The beginning was confusing and it took me atleast 50 pages to get into the scene. Then I forgot everything happening around me. It pulled me inside and I loved it.
Ethan Freaking Blade is, hands down, the best character in this book. I know he was a cold-blooded killer but I loved him. My heart skipped a beat when he was attacked by Dingo and when Jack saw the whip marks. Whoever hurt my Ethan should rot in hell.
Jack talking to an assassin about food and car in the middle of nowhere is so far my favorite moment in the book. The way Ethan's face transformed while describing cars was awesome. That was the second I categorized Ethan as a human who kills for money and not a psychotic killer.
The fight scenes were absolutely mind blowing. In most of the books I can't connect with the fight scenes so I would mostly skip them but this one made me read everything and crave for more. I especially loved every scenes involving Ethan with Gun.
Another Remarkable moment is when Ethan introduces Jack to Sheila, his pet camel. The way he took care of Jack when he was sick and the secret code language he taught him made me overwhelmed with joy. I am heartsick for them.
When Valadian kissed Ethan in front of Jack, I wanted to kill valadian with my bare hands. I can't accept it, even imagining about it makes me want to vomit, probably on valadian. I seriously was on the verge of crying when Ethan kissed him back.
Ethan Freaking Blade is, hands down, the best character in this book. I know he was a cold-blooded killer but I loved him. My heart skipped a beat when he was attacked by Dingo and when Jack saw the whip marks. Whoever hurt my Ethan should rot in hell.
Jack talking to an assassin about food and car in the middle of nowhere is so far my favorite moment in the book. The way Ethan's face transformed while describing cars was awesome. That was the second I categorized Ethan as a human who kills for money and not a psychotic killer.
The fight scenes were absolutely mind blowing. In most of the books I can't connect with the fight scenes so I would mostly skip them but this one made me read everything and crave for more. I especially loved every scenes involving Ethan with Gun.
Another Remarkable moment is when Ethan introduces Jack to Sheila, his pet camel. The way he took care of Jack when he was sick and the secret code language he taught him made me overwhelmed with joy. I am heartsick for them.
When Valadian kissed Ethan in front of Jack, I wanted to kill valadian with my bare hands. I can't accept it, even imagining about it makes me want to vomit, probably on valadian. I seriously was on the verge of crying when Ethan kissed him back.
tinkcourtney's review against another edition
5.0
Gripping
I could barely put this book down and ended up reading it in one morning. The alternating chapters between “then” and “now” are very effective at gradually revealing key information and keeping the action/suspense going. I’ll definitely be reading the rest of the series!
*edited to add that I've now listened to the audio and it's fantastic! The narrator has a lovely accent and does a great job.*
I could barely put this book down and ended up reading it in one morning. The alternating chapters between “then” and “now” are very effective at gradually revealing key information and keeping the action/suspense going. I’ll definitely be reading the rest of the series!
*edited to add that I've now listened to the audio and it's fantastic! The narrator has a lovely accent and does a great job.*
jennifox's review against another edition
I think there's probably an interesting story (or two) in here, but I just can't with the alternating timelines.
divapitbull's review against another edition
5.0
4 ½ stars rounded up to 5 because Where Death Meets the Devil is the best MM romantic suspense story that I have read in a LONG time. Finally, a book with 2 male leads who act like…. men. Their relationship is understated, but there is definite chemistry between them. And it isn’t *just* sex. Emotions clearly become engaged on both sides, but just because they develop feelings for each other – neither MC breaks character. Neither start prancing around like extras escaped from a bad Harlequin romance, suddenly calling each other Darling and waxing poetic about *making love*. What a lovely, much appreciated change of pace!
The story takes place in Australia somewhat in the future, although not glaringly so. Jack Reardon is an ex-military, former SAS soldier; currently working as an asset of the Meta-State in “The Office” (of counterterrorism and Intelligence) - Internal Threat Assessment department. After much annoyance and googling, I’m fairly certain that the Meta-State (a highly guarded agreement between Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia, Singapore and various other Southeast Asian countries to share intelligence and resources regarding terrorism and international threats) is one of those “futuristic elements” and doesn’t really exist. I was hung up on this detail until I realized that neural implants that act like smart phones – only shoved inside your brain – don’t exist either.
We first meet Jack strapped to a chair in the torture shack. It seems that after 15 months undercover with Mr. Valadian’s group of criminals; terrorist wannabe Mr. V. was alerted that he had a spy in his midst. Valadian has brought in Ethan Blade (the very man who outed Jack) to interrogate him and get him to spill the beans. Ethan Blade of the British accent; Sugar Baby eyes and seventh-ranked assassin in the world. From there 2 stories are told and the chapters flip back and forth between Then (the torture shack in the middle of the desert) and Now (1 year later with Jack back at The Office but grounded from duty while he undergoes psych evals and his Director harbors suspicions that he may have turned).
Each story is driven by action and suspense and underneath that the evolving relationship between the soldier and the assassin. Everything is one big exercise in trust as 2 men who should not and do not trust each other – come to begin to trust in spite of the necessary betrayals and cat and mouse games to get their respective jobs done. The alternating chapters work to a point. At first having past and present juxtaposed helps bring clarity to the present. However, as the stories progress and the action intensifies the disruption in continuity starts to get annoying.
The slowly building relationship between Jack and Ethan is a pleasure to behold. Jack sees the rare moments of unguarded Ethan – the car enthusiast, the animal lover (Sheila!), the abused child of a Sugar Addict with the weird pale eyes and the designation of Sugar Baby thought to be a violent sociopath incapable of normal social interaction – who connected with no one because everyone was afraid of him. Jack sees the 2 sides of Ethan; the stone cold killer since the age of 16 with zero remorse and the man who “gets to pick his own targets” because there is a clear moral code underneath the apparent ambiguity. But none the less Jack has to walk away from the man in the desert.
Until 1 year later – Ethan Blade is back. For the job or for the man that cracked his iron clad sense of control? Ethan never leaves a job unfinished – his own personal assassin’s creed. It’s purely coincidence that finishing his job is extremely beneficial to The Office; and serendipity that it leads him back to Jack, the man who treated him like a person not something to be scared of, who argued with him, who made him laugh, who made him lose control. The only man (or woman) he ever had sex with outside of a job.
Where Death meets the Devil was a very enjoyable start to a promising series.
The story takes place in Australia somewhat in the future, although not glaringly so. Jack Reardon is an ex-military, former SAS soldier; currently working as an asset of the Meta-State in “The Office” (of counterterrorism and Intelligence) - Internal Threat Assessment department. After much annoyance and googling, I’m fairly certain that the Meta-State (a highly guarded agreement between Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia, Singapore and various other Southeast Asian countries to share intelligence and resources regarding terrorism and international threats) is one of those “futuristic elements” and doesn’t really exist. I was hung up on this detail until I realized that neural implants that act like smart phones – only shoved inside your brain – don’t exist either.
We first meet Jack strapped to a chair in the torture shack. It seems that after 15 months undercover with Mr. Valadian’s group of criminals; terrorist wannabe Mr. V. was alerted that he had a spy in his midst. Valadian has brought in Ethan Blade (the very man who outed Jack) to interrogate him and get him to spill the beans. Ethan Blade of the British accent; Sugar Baby eyes and seventh-ranked assassin in the world. From there 2 stories are told and the chapters flip back and forth between Then (the torture shack in the middle of the desert) and Now (1 year later with Jack back at The Office but grounded from duty while he undergoes psych evals and his Director harbors suspicions that he may have turned).
Each story is driven by action and suspense and underneath that the evolving relationship between the soldier and the assassin. Everything is one big exercise in trust as 2 men who should not and do not trust each other – come to begin to trust in spite of the necessary betrayals and cat and mouse games to get their respective jobs done. The alternating chapters work to a point. At first having past and present juxtaposed helps bring clarity to the present. However, as the stories progress and the action intensifies the disruption in continuity starts to get annoying.
The slowly building relationship between Jack and Ethan is a pleasure to behold. Jack sees the rare moments of unguarded Ethan – the car enthusiast, the animal lover (Sheila!), the abused child of a Sugar Addict with the weird pale eyes and the designation of Sugar Baby thought to be a violent sociopath incapable of normal social interaction – who connected with no one because everyone was afraid of him. Jack sees the 2 sides of Ethan; the stone cold killer since the age of 16 with zero remorse and the man who “gets to pick his own targets” because there is a clear moral code underneath the apparent ambiguity. But none the less Jack has to walk away from the man in the desert.
Until 1 year later – Ethan Blade is back. For the job or for the man that cracked his iron clad sense of control? Ethan never leaves a job unfinished – his own personal assassin’s creed. It’s purely coincidence that finishing his job is extremely beneficial to The Office; and serendipity that it leads him back to Jack, the man who treated him like a person not something to be scared of, who argued with him, who made him laugh, who made him lose control. The only man (or woman) he ever had sex with outside of a job.
Where Death meets the Devil was a very enjoyable start to a promising series.