Nightchaser (Nightchaser, #1)

by Amanda Bouchet

[stacey_is_sassy]

She could start a war…

You may not know this about me, but I have an aversion to Tentacle Romance. My fellow readers have tried to convert me to loving “extra appendages” and “special abilities” but it’s just not for me. Unfortunately, I’m picturing characters like Jabba the Hutt, Yoda and Jar Jar Binks…which does not help my cause. So, I was pleasantly surprised when Nightchaser turned out to be Sci-Fi of the “Humans of the Future” variety.

I really like Amanda Bouchet’s style of writing. Her heroines are strong, courageous, determined and capable of making a decision in the toughest of circumstances. While this strength makes them heroines to admire, she also balances them by giving them vulnerabilities and challenges. While Tess shares some similarities to Cat from Kingmaker Chronicles they are different. I don’t mind that the similarities are strength and courage, who doesn’t like to see a strong woman at the front.

I tend to go into my reads a little blind, so, when introduced to male characters, *Are you my hero?* pops into my head. I met a few characters before the hero and I went through my usual checklist to see if my hero was up to scratch. Too much previous heartbreak for the first bloke and no emotional connection with the second one. Let’s just say, thank goodness it was Shade. Shade walked into the room and my Hero Beacon was flashing. The air was sizzling with chemistry, the snark and banter were appealing, and my smirk came to life with his physical description. I love that shiver up my spine when I meet a new hero.

Nightchaser was an interesting story that kept my attention from start to finish. It was a thought-provoking look into what our future could be. I think deep down, we know that we are damaging our world so we can’t help wondering what we are going to do if we ruin it completely. Will it be a bomb, environmental damage or is there an expiry date for Earth, that will end us?

I really enjoyed meeting the characters and learning more about where they had been and what their plans were for the future. Shade and Tess had a very rocky beginning. Even I wasn’t completely convinced that Shade was going to make the right decision for their future. Funny thing is though, I wasn’t completely sure of the right decision. Sure, I knew what would benefit Tess and her gang, but, Shade was working towards a goal and was close to realising it. I admired both Tess and Shade for their ability to look past their noses to benefit their world.

The goodies were good and the baddies were bad…then again…the goodies could be bad and the baddies could be good. The trick is in the balancing act. In true Amanda Bouchet fashion, we are not given a clear picture at the beginning. Each page explained a little more of how the characters came to be and where and what they hope to achieve in the end. This is not just Tess and Shade’s journey. Each of the characters, even the additional ones have a path and while some of those paths end, others are just beginning.

Nightchaser was a fast-paced, exciting and sexy adventure into the future. I was completely sucked in and I can’t wait for more.

Stacey is Sassy, received a complimentary copy of this story. The copy provided is not the final copy and may be subject to edits and changes.