Saturday, August 7, 2010

Review - Beyond the Night



Title: Beyond the Night
Author: Joss Ware
Publishing Date: January 2010
Genre: Paranormal
Rating: B
Sensuality: Warm
Book Disclosure: I purchased a new copy.

Beyond the Night is the first book in a new series by Joss Ware. It takes place in a post apocalyptic world when six men find that they have been asleep for 50 years in a cave. They went to an expedition, major environmental destruction happened ending the world as they knew it and they woke up not having aged at all but the world was completely different. It is only safe for them to travel during the day because at night these zombie-like creatures come out to feast. Elliott Drake meets a mysterious woman, Jade who draws his curiosity. She is able to introduce Elliott and his friends into the small society that formed after the big disaster. Elliott must find a place for himself in this new world.

I really like the set up for this new series. I don't often get a chance to read books with a more sci-fi aspect to them, but I do enjoy them. I find the whole mystery to the world disaster very interesting. The world building is great and the reader can easily see the author has interesting plans for revealing the whole story. Readers get a taste with this first book but there is a lot more to be discovered as to what exactly is going on and how things came to be.

It's funny because most of the time I am more interested in reading about the romance between the two characters than the world building. Oddly enough, that wasn't the case with this book. It was the other way around this time. While I liked Jade and Elliott, I felt almost as if the romance was forced on me. There was a lot of internal dialogue that told me of their attraction for one another but I didn't necessarily see it. I think Elliott is a really great hero for Jade. He gives her the space she needs. Jade has a lot of hang-ups caused from past relationships. She has a lot of baggage and Elliott lets Jade know he is interested without being pushy. Fans of Beta heroes will really like Elliott.

Here is what others had to say:
Ramblings on Romance, Etc.
Leslie's Psyche
Book Binge
Book Fare Delights
The Book Lush

4 comments:

Mollie said...

I pretty much felt the same way! I really wasn't too impressed by the romance but I REALLY like the world Ware has built. I liked the second one too. Have the 3rd book in my TBR pile! Thanks for linking ot my review!

Leslie said...

I just finished the third book and yep, I'm more interested in the world building/action/suspense of this series than the romance. So far the romance hasn't held my interest the way the overall world has.

Kristie (J) said...

It's interesting isn't it - review after review, including mine, it's the world building that really stands out above the romance aspect of the series. It is excellently done and I'm glad you enjoyed the book after I almost forced you *g* to get it.

nath said...

Great review Jill :) LOL, both you and Mollie have read it... guess it's my turn now :)