4.25 stars--RECKLESS ROAD is the fifth instalment in Christine Feehan’s contemporary, adult TORPEDO INK erotic, paranormal, MC romance series, a spin off from the author’s Sea Haven/Sisters of the Heart series which in turn is a spin off from the Drake Sisters series. This is Gedeon ‘Player’ Lazaroff, and Zyah Gamal’s story line. RECKLESS ROAD can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary.
WARNING: RECKLESS ROAD contains scenes, and makes reference to voyeurism, graphic violence, rape, murder, torture, child prostitution, and abuse against children, women and men, and may not be suitable for more sensitive readers. The violence is a part of the history and lives of the Torpedo Ink crews. The eighteen original Torpedo Ink members are the sole survivors of a Russian pedophile ring, and as such work towards rescuing children and women in similar situations.
Told from dual third person perspectives (Zyah and Player) RECKLESS ROAD follows in the aftermath of Player’s return to the Torpedo Ink compound following a recent road trip. With the ability to create lifelike illusions, Player’s mind continues to fracture, and his own grip on reality begins to falter. Believing his ‘brothers’ have procured him the services of an exotic dancer, Player indulges for one night, only to discover the woman, Zyah Gamal is no wh*re but his fated mate. Hoping to make amends, Player enlists the help of his Torpedo Ink family but all is not well in the seaside town of Caspar when a series of home invasions escalates, and Zyah and her grandmother have been targeted on more than one occasion. With the Torpedo Ink members keeping watch over Zyah and Mama Ant, Player is ambushed, and spends his recovery with Zyah and her grandmother but the psychic fall-out of his injury worsens, and threatens the people he knows and loves. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Zyah and Player, and the potential fall-out as Player’s mind continues to deteriorate, and the break in reveals a familiar pattern and foe.
Gedeon ‘Player’ Lazaroff believes his psychic gifts have caused more heartache and pain than have done any good for his brothers and sisters in Torpedo Ink. As the fall-out of his psychic gift continue to haunt and further destroy what’s left of his mind, Player will get some much needed healing and help from the woman with whom he is falling in love. Zyah Gamal moved to Caspar in an effort to be closer to her beloved grandmother but Zyah never expected to fall for a man who would break her heart, a man who is broken both inside and out. Time spent with Player reveals a man whose tortured past continues to inflict wounds that refuse to heal.
The relationship between Player and Zyah begins as a one night stand that quickly spirals out of control. Believing she had found the man that called to her heart, Zyah would be pushed aside by a man whose demons rode very close to the surface. Player never expected to find his own happily ever after but making amends to Zyah is about to push our hero over the edge. The $ex scenes are erotic and intense.
There is a large ensemble cast of colorful powerful and energetic secondary and supporting characters move of whom we have met throughout the previous series or two. We are introduced to Zyah’s grandmother Mama Anat, as well as Hannah Drake ’s (Sea Haven series) assistant Sabelia. The requisite evil has many faces.
RECKLESS ROAD, like the previous instalments, continues to focus on the graphic details, rape, torture and abuse inflicted upon the characters as children, children trained to be killers and assassins. The PTSD and constant reminders push at the members of Torpedo Ink, leaving guilt, grief and loss in its’ wake.
RECKLESS ROAD is a story of family, relationships, secrets and lies; of pain, tragedy and heart break; of betrayal, vengeance, acceptance and love. The premise is dramatic, dark, staggering and raw; the romance is edgy ; the characters are broken, wounded, and tragic.
WARNING: RECKLESS ROAD contains scenes, and makes reference to voyeurism, graphic violence, rape, murder, torture, child prostitution, and abuse against children, women and men, and may not be suitable for more sensitive readers. The violence is a part of the history and lives of the Torpedo Ink crews. The eighteen original Torpedo Ink members are the sole survivors of a Russian pedophile ring, and as such work towards rescuing children and women in similar situations.
Told from dual third person perspectives (Zyah and Player) RECKLESS ROAD follows in the aftermath of Player’s return to the Torpedo Ink compound following a recent road trip. With the ability to create lifelike illusions, Player’s mind continues to fracture, and his own grip on reality begins to falter. Believing his ‘brothers’ have procured him the services of an exotic dancer, Player indulges for one night, only to discover the woman, Zyah Gamal is no wh*re but his fated mate. Hoping to make amends, Player enlists the help of his Torpedo Ink family but all is not well in the seaside town of Caspar when a series of home invasions escalates, and Zyah and her grandmother have been targeted on more than one occasion. With the Torpedo Ink members keeping watch over Zyah and Mama Ant, Player is ambushed, and spends his recovery with Zyah and her grandmother but the psychic fall-out of his injury worsens, and threatens the people he knows and loves. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Zyah and Player, and the potential fall-out as Player’s mind continues to deteriorate, and the break in reveals a familiar pattern and foe.
Gedeon ‘Player’ Lazaroff believes his psychic gifts have caused more heartache and pain than have done any good for his brothers and sisters in Torpedo Ink. As the fall-out of his psychic gift continue to haunt and further destroy what’s left of his mind, Player will get some much needed healing and help from the woman with whom he is falling in love. Zyah Gamal moved to Caspar in an effort to be closer to her beloved grandmother but Zyah never expected to fall for a man who would break her heart, a man who is broken both inside and out. Time spent with Player reveals a man whose tortured past continues to inflict wounds that refuse to heal.
The relationship between Player and Zyah begins as a one night stand that quickly spirals out of control. Believing she had found the man that called to her heart, Zyah would be pushed aside by a man whose demons rode very close to the surface. Player never expected to find his own happily ever after but making amends to Zyah is about to push our hero over the edge. The $ex scenes are erotic and intense.
There is a large ensemble cast of colorful powerful and energetic secondary and supporting characters move of whom we have met throughout the previous series or two. We are introduced to Zyah’s grandmother Mama Anat, as well as Hannah Drake ’s (Sea Haven series) assistant Sabelia. The requisite evil has many faces.
RECKLESS ROAD, like the previous instalments, continues to focus on the graphic details, rape, torture and abuse inflicted upon the characters as children, children trained to be killers and assassins. The PTSD and constant reminders push at the members of Torpedo Ink, leaving guilt, grief and loss in its’ wake.
RECKLESS ROAD is a story of family, relationships, secrets and lies; of pain, tragedy and heart break; of betrayal, vengeance, acceptance and love. The premise is dramatic, dark, staggering and raw; the romance is edgy ; the characters are broken, wounded, and tragic.
If you’ve read the other books in the Dark series, then you’ve met the main characters of Dark Illusion. Julija Brennan first made an appearance in Dark Legacy. She was found by the Carpathians when they raided the lair of Sergey, a master vampire. Isai Florea is one of the ancient Carpathians from the monastery that was introduced in Dark Promises.
Isai does not make a good impression when he first drops in on Julija, literally. When he realizes she’s his lifemate (the woman who shares his soul), he reacts violently to her apparent rejection of him. He, in turn, rejects her. However, before they can completely turn their backs on one another, they have a mission to complete.
Julija has never had an easy life. Her upbringing as part of a High Mage family, enemies of the Carpathian species, gives her every reason to fear Isai. She is on the run from her family and has only one friend, Elisabeta, a female Carpathian that was held captive by Sergey for centuries. Julija’s goal is to destroy the book that would give her family access to spells that could be used to destroy entire species.
As Isai gets to know Julija and her past, he comes to realize that things aren’t as clearcut as he initially thought. He helps Julija begin to work through the physical and psychological trauma that she had endured since childhood, but he never actually apologizes for his initial actions.
As a change of pace for the series, vampires are not the main threat in this book. Instead, the mages take center stage. The mages have been a lurking threat through much of the series, so it is very satisfying to have them as the main antagonists. However, other than through Julija’s recollections and battle scenes, there isn’t much interaction with them.
The fight scenes are quite different from previous books because of the difference between fighting Mages and vampires. The spells slow down the pacing, and I preferred it when they weren’t written out. Hopefully, a short-hand or alternate language is developed if Mages continue to function as primary antagonists. I also found the use of crossbows to be an odd choice, given how long they take to reload, even with preternatural speed. Christine is excellent at keeping fight scenes unique, and she definitely managed that nicely in this book.
Overall, this is a solid entry in the Dark series. New forms of old enemies emerge, and another ancient finds his lifemate.
Isai does not make a good impression when he first drops in on Julija, literally. When he realizes she’s his lifemate (the woman who shares his soul), he reacts violently to her apparent rejection of him. He, in turn, rejects her. However, before they can completely turn their backs on one another, they have a mission to complete.
Julija has never had an easy life. Her upbringing as part of a High Mage family, enemies of the Carpathian species, gives her every reason to fear Isai. She is on the run from her family and has only one friend, Elisabeta, a female Carpathian that was held captive by Sergey for centuries. Julija’s goal is to destroy the book that would give her family access to spells that could be used to destroy entire species.
As Isai gets to know Julija and her past, he comes to realize that things aren’t as clearcut as he initially thought. He helps Julija begin to work through the physical and psychological trauma that she had endured since childhood, but he never actually apologizes for his initial actions.
As a change of pace for the series, vampires are not the main threat in this book. Instead, the mages take center stage. The mages have been a lurking threat through much of the series, so it is very satisfying to have them as the main antagonists. However, other than through Julija’s recollections and battle scenes, there isn’t much interaction with them.
The fight scenes are quite different from previous books because of the difference between fighting Mages and vampires. The spells slow down the pacing, and I preferred it when they weren’t written out. Hopefully, a short-hand or alternate language is developed if Mages continue to function as primary antagonists. I also found the use of crossbows to be an odd choice, given how long they take to reload, even with preternatural speed. Christine is excellent at keeping fight scenes unique, and she definitely managed that nicely in this book.
Overall, this is a solid entry in the Dark series. New forms of old enemies emerge, and another ancient finds his lifemate.
When a series has been going on for over thirty books, it is hard to keep everything feeling fresh and new. Christine Feehan manages it skillfully with a unique couple, ratcheted tension, and plenty of action.
Elisabeta is a unique heroine in the series. There have been women who have suffered hardships but never to the extent she has. It is beautiful watching her re-learn how to live, while Ferro walks the fine line of encouraging her to push herself and protecting her. While they both struggle, they find their way together.
The vampires have been enemies of the Carpathians since the first books, and they show their strength in this book. While the mages have recently taken center stage, the vampires have reclaimed their leading villain role. The tension stays high as the Carpathians can only react early on as characters turn on each other. Some old friends return, and while I wouldn’t say I like some of the characters’ actions, some interesting facts about the Carpathian world emerge.
I also liked the mystery aspect, as attacks came from every angle, the Carpathians struggle to counter them before everything they have built falls. I did not guess some of what is going on before the reveal, which is always a nice feeling.
This book fixed some of my issues with recent entries in the series. The BDSM elements are toned down, and while spells are still cast, they are without the invocations, helping the flow of the story.
This book is an excellent entry in the long-running series, managing to keep things fresh while opening up new parts of the world to explore. If you’re a fan of the Dark series, it is well worth picking up.
Elisabeta is a unique heroine in the series. There have been women who have suffered hardships but never to the extent she has. It is beautiful watching her re-learn how to live, while Ferro walks the fine line of encouraging her to push herself and protecting her. While they both struggle, they find their way together.
The vampires have been enemies of the Carpathians since the first books, and they show their strength in this book. While the mages have recently taken center stage, the vampires have reclaimed their leading villain role. The tension stays high as the Carpathians can only react early on as characters turn on each other. Some old friends return, and while I wouldn’t say I like some of the characters’ actions, some interesting facts about the Carpathian world emerge.
I also liked the mystery aspect, as attacks came from every angle, the Carpathians struggle to counter them before everything they have built falls. I did not guess some of what is going on before the reveal, which is always a nice feeling.
This book fixed some of my issues with recent entries in the series. The BDSM elements are toned down, and while spells are still cast, they are without the invocations, helping the flow of the story.
This book is an excellent entry in the long-running series, managing to keep things fresh while opening up new parts of the world to explore. If you’re a fan of the Dark series, it is well worth picking up.
The Ghost Walker series is a big favorite but I always await any release by Christine.
I love this series! It's a fantastic concept and the storytelling is top notch.
NOTE: Most of the characters including Torpedo Ink club president Victor ‘Czar’ Prakenski, and his wife Blythe Daniels were introduced in the final instalment of the author’s Sea Haven Series BOUND TOGETHER.
WARNING: JUDGMENT ROAD contains, and makes reference to graphic violence, rape, murder, torture and abuse against children and women, and therefore, may not be suitable for all readers.
SOME BACKGROUND: At the tender age of ten years old, Victor ‘Czar’ Prakenski set about to save and rescue over three hundred children from a Russian child sex-slave operation but in the end only eighteen survived. The Torpedo Ink series focuses on the survivors: their stories, their history, and their happily ever afters.
Told from several third person perspectives including Reaper and Anya JUDGMENT ROAD follows the acrimonious relationship between Torpedo Ink enforcer, assassin and Sergeant At Arms Savva ‘Reaper’ Pajari, and bartender Anya Rafferty. Anya Rafferty is a new hire at the biker bar run by the Torpedo Ink MC; a woman that quickly gets under Reaper’s skin but a woman whose past may be a threat to the security and safety of the Torpedo Ink MC. When a rival MC comes looking for help the Torpedo Ink gang set into motion a search and rescue mission that reveals a much darker and deeper threat than anyone had suspected, a threat that quite possibly leads back to Anya Rafferty. What ensues is the building and volatile relationship between Reaper and Anya; the search and take down of the threats against Torpedo Ink; and the potential fall-out when Reaper’s nightmares and heart breaking past refuse to let go.
Reaper is a stone-cold killer; a dark and tormented man whose own family-the Torpedo Ink MC- is troubled by his emotional instability and inability to let go. Trained as an assassin Reaper believes he is incapable of any relationship involving the woman with whom he will fall in love. With the arrival of Anya Rafferty, Reaper slowly begins to shed his dark and cold exterior. Anya Rafferty is on the run and finding a home with the Torpedo Ink MC places everyone in danger. Unaware of the history, and the savage beginnings of the man that she loves Anya finds herself at a crossroads, ready to run, on more than one occasion.
We are introduced to all eighteen members of Torpedo Ink- survivors of horrific abuse, torture and betrayal at the hands of the sick and depraved. A tight-knit group that calls itself family, the Torpedo Ink gang collectively share telepathic abilities, as well as a heart breaking and devastating history that only furthers their close relationship and over-protective nature as it pertains to one of their own.
The world building reveals the tragic history of abuse, torture, rape and ‘education’ of a group of children who discovered that the world and people have a sick and twisted version of right and wrong. In past reviews I have remarked on the author’s increasing violent story lines and abuse against women and children but in the case of the Torpedo Ink series, the violence is part of their history and lives-ingrained and imbedded –into their very existence. The story line heroes are not the perpetrators of the violence and abuse against the women they love but are the saviors and salvation of those who suffered years before.
JUDGMENT ROAD and the Torpedo Ink are the stories of the broken; the damaged; betrayal and revenge. The premise is dark, startling and edgy; the characters are colorful, charismatic and protective; the romance is dramatic, controversial and healing. Christine Feehan enters the world of the MC with the first fiery instalment in the Torpedo Ink series.