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3.68 AVERAGE
3.68 AVERAGE
I loved it. The second in this post-electronics apocalypse series set in upstate New York, John leads a handsome stranger on a quest to find a scientist at a college. So, it's not "more of the same" with John's family cooped up on their house, fending off strangers. Frankly after months in COVID-19 quarantine, I was just so happy that someone got to leave the house, I was jealous.
And, things I like:
adult virgin
multicultural cast
pushy mom
audiobook
Seeking out the next in the series soon.
And, things I like:
adult virgin
multicultural cast
pushy mom
audiobook
Seeking out the next in the series soon.
I enjoyed the build up for the relationship and each character's backstory more in this one than in Radio Silence. I could have used a LOT less rape and sexual violence. I get that this is an apocalypse narrative and humanity does awful things when society breaks down, but when rape is used in a book it needs be treated differently. Here, it was simply shorthand to differentiate between the good guys and the bad guys. No thanks. Based on the set-up for the next novel, I REALLY hope it gets better. (But I'll tell you know, I'm already struggling with seeing the hero as anything but a slightly moral, cowardly piece of shit.) I guess we'll see how it goes!
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Enjoyment 8/10
Concept 7/10
Execution 8/10
Writing 7/10
Plot & Logic 5/10
Pacing & Structure 8/10
Characters 8/10
Intrigue 10/10
World Building 6/10
Rating: 3.7/5
Concept 7/10
Execution 8/10
Writing 7/10
Plot & Logic 5/10
Pacing & Structure 8/10
Characters 8/10
Intrigue 10/10
World Building 6/10
Rating: 3.7/5
Glad to get a non-traditional paring M/M, but disappointed that unlike the previous book, there is no explicit sex beyond a blowjob. Not sure why the author pulled back considering the first book went all out. Still, the idea of a plausible, but recoverable end-of-the-world scenario is great and I enjoyed the world building.
A fun read with an intriguing set up and engaging characters. A solar flare has knocked out the main power grids for most of the Earth, but John Seong and his family are lucky to have a remote farmhouse to retreat to -- though that comes at a great cost. When a handsome astrophysicist winds up in their back yard, John falls for him and together they set out to find out what's going on. I sure hope that this setup isn't realistic!
Showstopping. No notes. John is SO STUPID SOMETIMES but I only wanted to throttle him a couple times. Mykhail is a PERFECT romance hero. I adore him, even his third act hang ups .
(I AM NOW OBSESSED WITH THIS APOCALYPSE FLAVOURED ROMANCE GENRE DO I NEED TO SEEK OUT WAY MORE OF THESE???? Or maybe just more Alyssa Coles)
(I AM NOW OBSESSED WITH THIS APOCALYPSE FLAVOURED ROMANCE GENRE DO I NEED TO SEEK OUT WAY MORE OF THESE???? Or maybe just more Alyssa Coles)
CUTE AS HELL. And dealt respectfully (imo) with some issues that are close to my heart, suicide ideation being one of them.
This is a sequel to a book I haven’t read, but I heard great things about it so I gave it a go. I haven’t even read post-apocalyptic romance in a while, and I was pleased that the focus in this series is more about the people than the situation.
In the first book, Radio Silence, all of the electricity stopped working. John and his best friend, Arden, made their way to his parents’ cabin. As Signal Boost opens, the makeshift family has settled into a quiet routine, and everyone is reasonably happy. But John (or Jang-wan, as his mother calls him) feels unsettled, like his progress as a person has stalled, and he can’t appreciate his circumstances in the present because he worries that he will always be stuck there.
One night, Mykhail sneaks into their garden to steal some food, and John tackles him. John’s dormant emotions suddenly surface because Mykhail’s eyes sparkle. Also, Mykhail’s an astrophysicist who thinks he knows what happened in the world, and, “Lord help me but it was the sexiest thing ever to hear a man talk knowledgeably about physics.”
John invites himself on Mykhail’s quest to a nearby university to find out what’s going on and try to help. It’s mainly because he has a crush, but also because his computer tech skills are wasted in a place with no computers. John is equipped with sarcasm as self-defense, and Mykhail is boarded up behind scientific experimentation and guilt. But a good journey can break down barriers.
This story is all narrated from John’s first-person point of view, and his anxious wit shines. He loves and respects his parents, he worries about his younger sister, and he misses his best friend, because she’s now in love with his older brother. I felt his hope cautiously spring to life when Mykhail arrived, and I was impressed at his perseverance.
Mykhail remained kind of a mystery to me. From his technical way of speaking and his unemotional reactions, I wondered if he was supposed to be an autistic genius. It was never mentioned, though, and by the end of the book he seemed more human, so perhaps it was just his coping mechanism for all he’d been through. I loved him at first, then I was a little mad because he didn’t seem to reciprocate John’s feelings. I guess in the apocalypse no one is quite themselves.
This book scores for being super smart and super witty. The relationship (or, John’s hope for one) drove the plot for the first two-thirds, and then the end veered more into some “what’s up with the rest of the world” territory. It allowed John and Mykhail to have a serious talk and demonstrate their trust in each other. The end covered a lot of ground, world-wise, probably to set up for the next book, but I was satisfied to see John and Mykhail settle into a new life together.
Rating: B+
This review was originally posted on Red Hot Books at: http://redhotbooks.com/2015/05/review-signal-boost-by-alyssa-cole.html
Review copy provided by the publisher
In the first book, Radio Silence, all of the electricity stopped working. John and his best friend, Arden, made their way to his parents’ cabin. As Signal Boost opens, the makeshift family has settled into a quiet routine, and everyone is reasonably happy. But John (or Jang-wan, as his mother calls him) feels unsettled, like his progress as a person has stalled, and he can’t appreciate his circumstances in the present because he worries that he will always be stuck there.
One night, Mykhail sneaks into their garden to steal some food, and John tackles him. John’s dormant emotions suddenly surface because Mykhail’s eyes sparkle. Also, Mykhail’s an astrophysicist who thinks he knows what happened in the world, and, “Lord help me but it was the sexiest thing ever to hear a man talk knowledgeably about physics.”
John invites himself on Mykhail’s quest to a nearby university to find out what’s going on and try to help. It’s mainly because he has a crush, but also because his computer tech skills are wasted in a place with no computers. John is equipped with sarcasm as self-defense, and Mykhail is boarded up behind scientific experimentation and guilt. But a good journey can break down barriers.
This story is all narrated from John’s first-person point of view, and his anxious wit shines. He loves and respects his parents, he worries about his younger sister, and he misses his best friend, because she’s now in love with his older brother. I felt his hope cautiously spring to life when Mykhail arrived, and I was impressed at his perseverance.
Mykhail remained kind of a mystery to me. From his technical way of speaking and his unemotional reactions, I wondered if he was supposed to be an autistic genius. It was never mentioned, though, and by the end of the book he seemed more human, so perhaps it was just his coping mechanism for all he’d been through. I loved him at first, then I was a little mad because he didn’t seem to reciprocate John’s feelings. I guess in the apocalypse no one is quite themselves.
This book scores for being super smart and super witty. The relationship (or, John’s hope for one) drove the plot for the first two-thirds, and then the end veered more into some “what’s up with the rest of the world” territory. It allowed John and Mykhail to have a serious talk and demonstrate their trust in each other. The end covered a lot of ground, world-wise, probably to set up for the next book, but I was satisfied to see John and Mykhail settle into a new life together.
Rating: B+
This review was originally posted on Red Hot Books at: http://redhotbooks.com/2015/05/review-signal-boost-by-alyssa-cole.html
Review copy provided by the publisher
Another enjoyable installment.
First off, the diversity in this series is really amazing. The first book in the series featured a romance between an African American female and an Asian male. This installment features not only an Asian lead but a homosexual romance. It's really great to see this diversity in some new adult reads.
Be aware though that this is definitely a new adult read. It contains a lot of sexual content so if that makes you uncomfortable, tread carefully.
I really enjoyed the main character's voice. He was incredibly snarky and fun. I really enjoyed reading from his perspective.
We got a lot more explanation in this one surrounding the whole power outage situation but I still really wanted more from it. I also would have like a lot more explanation surrounding everything that happened at the end of the story.
This is definitely a fun, enjoyable series and I look forward to reading the final installment.
First off, the diversity in this series is really amazing. The first book in the series featured a romance between an African American female and an Asian male. This installment features not only an Asian lead but a homosexual romance. It's really great to see this diversity in some new adult reads.
Be aware though that this is definitely a new adult read. It contains a lot of sexual content so if that makes you uncomfortable, tread carefully.
I really enjoyed the main character's voice. He was incredibly snarky and fun. I really enjoyed reading from his perspective.
We got a lot more explanation in this one surrounding the whole power outage situation but I still really wanted more from it. I also would have like a lot more explanation surrounding everything that happened at the end of the story.
This is definitely a fun, enjoyable series and I look forward to reading the final installment.
3.5 stars. It did a good job of furthering the overall plot - we get to find out what caused the electricity to stop working. The end was a bit abrupt -