Reviewer: Casee Beyond the Night by Colleen Gleason
Series: The Heroes of New Vegas #1
Also in this series: Beyond the Night, Abandon the Night, Beyond the Night (The Heroes of New Vegas #1), Embrace the Night
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
Publication Date: January 12th 2010
Genres: Urban Fantasy
Pages: 357
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Series Rating:
A man with no future . . .When Dr. Elliott Drake wakes from a mysterious fifty-year sleep, the world as he knew it is gone. Cities are now desolate, and civilization is controlled by deadly immortals. Stranger still is Elliott's extraordinary new "gift"--he has the power to heal, but it comes with fatal consequences.A woman with a past . . .Jade barely escaped the immortals and is now hell-bent on revenge. She trusts no one . . . until Elliott. His piercing gaze and tempting touch shatter her defenses, but the handsome doctor seems to have dangerous secrets of his own. Is it safe to trust him with her heart?If they are to survive in this dark new world, Jade and Elliott must work together to fight the forces that take them beyond danger.Beyond desire.
*****As part of our 10 year anniversary celebration, we’ll be re-posting old reviews that make us cringe, laugh or sigh all over again.
We’re only in the second month (now the third) of 2010 and I’m already sure that this book/series/author will be on at least one of my “Best of” lists. This book was phenomenal. It had shades of the movie I Am Legend, but with a happy (or as happy as it’s possible to be) ending. I’m not a big UF reader so I don’t know if Joss Ware is the first to rewrite the world like this. I do know that you MUST read this book. Even to my paranormal hating friends—you will love it too.
Dr. Elliott Drake went into a Sedona cave in 2010 and came out in 2060. The world as he knew it was gone. There are now zombie like monsters—gangas—that have an affinity for blond haired people. Entire towns seem to appear wiped out. Together with four of his friends, Elliott is trying to find Envy a settlement where they hope to get some answers. Like what the hell happened?
It is beyond culture shock when you are standing on what used to be a Las Vegas street and can see the Pacific Ocean. Elliott and his group have heard few names of survivors of what is called The Change. One of them is in Envy and Elliott is determined to talk to him so he can find out what the hell happened.
Not only is the world different, but Elliott is also different. A doctor in 2010, he now has a new ability that enables him to “scan” a person with his hands and know what their ailment is. Even more recent, he has discovered that he can actually take an injury into himself and transfer it to another person and/or living thing.
When Elliott meets Jade, he is transfixed by her. Born after The Change, Jade has lived a life that no person should have to. From Jade he learns about the Strangers, immortals that appear to have instituted The Change. Jade was held captive by the Strangers for years. She got away and her captor thinks that she died.
I did like the relationship between Jade and Elliott, but I was more into this new world. Joss Ware is an amazing writer. When she would write scenes of Elliott and Jade going through a deserted shopping mall, I felt like I imagined Elliott would. Sort of speechless. Kind of in awe just imagining the possibility. Also horrified to imagine what it would be like to go through something like that.
From the first page to the last, I had a hard time putting this book down. Pick it up…no excuses.
4.75 out of 5.
The Heroes of New Vegas
GREAT review Casee! As you may know from FB, I adore this series and thought it got better with each book. Good news is that Joss is working on book #4. Yes!
I just read this book and am anxious to get book 2. As I live in Vegas it is awesome to read about her Vegas in 2060
Love the worldbuilding in this book as well. Can;t wait to read the next one.
Well goodness, I heard good things about this book and didn’t think that it’d be my “thing” but now I’m starting to second guess this…man, great review…it makes me want!
@Stacy Who is book #4? I’m almost done with #3.
@Heather It’s always different when a book takes place in “your” city. This will make it even more surreal.
@Rowena Yes, you need to read it. You will likey.
I read this book when it first came out and LOVED it!!! The world building was so good, and I quickly got caught up in the story. I am glad to see that you enjoyed it so much.