Generation 18: Number 2 in series (Spook Squad Trilogy, #2)

by Keri Arthur

Though neither event seems related, Agents Sam Ryan and Gabriel Stern quickly discover a link between the two - the military base known as Hopeworth. But are the serial killings a military cover-up that has gone dangerously wrong, or is there a deeper, more personal reason behind the murders of the red-headed adoptees? As the investigation continues, Sam discovers a connection between herself and the murder victims - a connection that implies a link to Hopeworth itself.

With the killings escalating and the danger drawing closer to home, Sam not only has to battle to bring a killer to justice, but also has to save Gabriel's life. And the one person who seems to hold the key to what is going on, as well as what has happened in Sam's past, is the mysterious man who saved her life. But does she dare believe his words or the dreams she seems to share with him? Because this mystery man may not be just her enemy, but the enemy of humankind itself.

• ISBN10: 0748120297
• ISBN13: 9780748120291
• Publish Date: 6 May 2010 (first published 1 September 2004)
• Publish Status: Active
• Publish Country: GB
• Publisher: Little, Brown Book Group
• Imprint: Piatkus Books
• Edition: Digital original
• Format: eBook (EPUB)
• Pages: 320
• Language: English

Reviews

[Berls]

This review appeared first at Fantasy is More Fun.

I’m continuing to enjoy this series, but Generation 18 felt a lot more straight detective/crime genre than Memory Zero did. And that puts us into procedural territory, something I’m less fond of. Memory Zero probably was too – but it didn’t feel like it because the big bad was directly targeting Samantha (Sam) and it was about protecting herself, not just doing good detective work.

Note: There are minor spoilers for Memory Zero in this review, though nothing major.

Now, though, Sam has been assigned as Gabriel Stern’s partner and is helping him with a couple of cases – at least as much as he will let her. As Gabriel told Sam in Memory Zero, he doesn’t do partners anymore – so he’s less than happy that she’s been forced on him. I have mixed feelings about this part of the story line – on one hand, I liked that it helped bring some of the sexual tension between Sam and Gabriel to the fore – giving Generation 18 a lot more of a romantic feel than Memory Zero had, though it was still light. On the other hand, I grew tired of Gabriel’s stubbornness. Sam is a damn good detective and he kept trying to push her to the sidelines. Annoying!

Sam’s a lot more than a good detective though – she’s SOMETHING else all together. We started seeing bits of this in Memory Zero and I was really pleased by how much of Generation 18 focused on the mysteries of her past and the questions of what exactly she is.

I think it was this mystery – combined with the general paranormal woo woo – that Keri Arthur weaved into the world so well that made me enjoy Generation 18 so much, despite the procedural elements. When you’re dealing with supernatural experimentation, unknown supernatural abilities and classified government woo woo projects, its easy to forget this is straight detective work. Its what made me enjoy the Riley Jenson series so much, and its what’s making Spook Squad a strong series for me.

All in all, if you liked Riley Jenson – and for the story more than the sex – I think you’ll enjoy this series. Generation 18 hints at romance down the road, but like a true UF, you’re gonna have to wait for things to reach THE MOMENT. The world building is solid and the mysteries of Sam’s past and what she really is heat up in Generation 18 and I’m really excited to see what will be revealed in Penumbra.

I received this book for free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.