Mercury Striking by Rebecca Zanetti
Series: The Scorpius Syndrome #1
Published by Zebra
Published on: January 26, 2016
Genres: Dystopian
Pages: 384
Format: eBook
Source: Library
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With nothing but rumors to lead her, Lynne Harmony has trekked across a nightmare landscape to find one man—a mysterious, damaged legend who protects the weak and leads the strong. He’s more than muscle and firepower—and in post-plague L.A., he’s her only hope. As the one woman who could cure the disease, Lynne is the single most volatile—and vulnerable—creature in this new and ruthless world. But face to face with Jax Mercury…
Danger has never looked quite so delicious…
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I’ve wanted to try this series since I saw it come out. I was hoping that it would be available on audio, but that hasn’t happened yet. I decided to bite the bullet and read the books. I just couldn’t wait anymore. I keep hearing such amazing things about this series. After reading this story, I’m really glad that I didn’t wait any longer.
This is a post-apocalyptic story. There is a bacteria that is unleashed upon the world. Not everyone dies from this bacteria. Some struggle through the fever and seem to be pretty normal. Others, on the other hand, are anything but. These people are known as Rippers. Some Rippers may seem normal, but are serial killers. Others don’t even act human. Some people don’t survive the bacteria.
Millions of Americans died of this bacteria. As a whole, we aren’t really sure if there is a functioning government or military. We are also not 100% sure what is going on in the rest of the world. Were they able to fight off this bacteria or not?
Lynne Harmony is a scientist at the CDC when the world went all to hell. There are many that feel that she is the cause of the bacteria getting released into the wild. She did contract the bacteria and survived it, but because of an experiment that was done to try to save her life, she now has a glowing blue heart. She escapes the clutches of the CDC and is trying to find a safe place to find a cure. She heads towards LA where she’s heard about this guy named Mercury.
Jax Mercury is a soldier who came home about the time of the bacteria. He starts to take in people and set up a stronghold in LA to try to protect people. The number of people in his little group continued to grow. Most aren’t soldiers. Most probably wouldn’t have survived if it wasn’t for Jax. He does have a few people in his inner circle who have either some experience or have trained really well.
There are several things that you would expect from a dystopian novel. You have people looting and gangs that will take advantage of the weak. In Jax’s group, he sends people out to scavenge for food, medicine and fuel. He has a guy with some medical background that is doing the work of doctors, just trying to keep people alive. There’s no power or technology (outside of cars).
I really enjoyed this story. It is a new look on the dystopian story. I’m used to zombies and stuff like solar flares, but this is something completely new, to me at least. I really enjoyed this new take on things. The story has some really fun characters. Not just Jax and Lynne, but many of the side characters.
While this story is a romance, it is really the world, characters and story that pulled me in. Don’t get me wrong, Jax and Lynne’s romance is a good one. It is slow, as would be expected with distrust of others set to 11. There is a lot of protectiveness, especially on Jax’s end. He really wants to protect his people, but he also has a pull towards Lynne.
I’m really excited to get to the next book. I haven’t looked yet to see who the next hero or heroine is. I know I have my hopes for a particular pair. 😉 I’m going to let the book surprise me. If you haven’t tried this series, I highly recommend it.
“Don’t try to reason with them. There are two main types of Rippers. The first is organized and intelligent like a serial killer. If one of these attacks you, it’s planned, and they have bad things in mind for you. The second is disorganized and just plain crazy, and they’re more likely to rip you apart like an animal. Run from either.”
“How do you know so much?”
“Books.” He idly played with her hair. “The judge who gave me the choice of military or prison kept in touch, and he loved philosophy and literature. He would send me books all over the world. At first I read just because I owed him. Then I read because I grew. Finally, I read because the words began to make sense.”
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I’m Melanie and I live in Ohio. I have two horses and a dog. I’m an animal lover, avid book reader and audiobook listener. I like to live vicariously through fictional characters. I enjoy reading and listening to mostly fictional books in the paranormal genre, including Urban Fantasy, Paranormal Romance and Horror. My favorite paranormal creatures are shifters, doesn’t matter the flavor.
I still need to try this author, her books always sound really good. 🙂
Stormi Johnson recently posted…The Week In Review #127
She has several series that I really love.
Melanie recently posted…Review: Taken by Fire by Sydney Croft (@mlsimmons, @LarissaIone, @StephanieTyler)
Great review. I’ve heard good things about this series and going to try to read this year.
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So far, I’m really enjoying it. I’m excited to get to the next book.
Melanie recently posted…Review: Taken by Fire by Sydney Croft (@mlsimmons, @LarissaIone, @StephanieTyler)
Sounds like there’s a lot going on to keep you really enthralled in the story. I hadn’t heard about this series so thanks for the heads up and the great review.
Mary Kirkland recently posted…It’s been a crazy/sad couple of months
There is quite a bit going on in this book. I love the zombie world that she’s created.
Melanie recently posted…Review: Taken by Fire by Sydney Croft (@mlsimmons, @LarissaIone, @StephanieTyler)
I haven’t read a lot of dystopian, but this sounds really good. I think my brain doesn’t equate dystopian with much romance, and I am just a sucker for romance.
Tanya recently posted…Review ~ The Single Undead Moms Club by Molly Harper @MollyHarperAuth
This has the same romance feel to it as a PNR. Just instead of shifters or vampires, there are other humans fighting to live through zombie-like creatures.
Melanie recently posted…Review: Taken by Fire by Sydney Croft (@mlsimmons, @LarissaIone, @StephanieTyler)
I enjoy your reviews and want to read everything you like! This is an author I have a good impression from what I have heard and want to try when I can manage it. Last year was filled up with more audio books, and reading authors who would be at NOLA Storycon. This year I am doing more challenges and have not set my focus other than ones within those rules. Anne
Northwoman recently posted…Audio Review: The Bachelor Auction by Rachel Van Dyken
Thanks so much, Anne. I thought your idea to read authors that would be at the con was a great idea.
Melanie recently posted…Review: Taken by Fire by Sydney Croft (@mlsimmons, @LarissaIone, @StephanieTyler)
This is one of those series that is high impact from the second you start reading. I love her gritty world and take on zombies. The next books are just as good. 🙂
Sophia Rose recently posted…Forever Mine by Monica Burns #TGPUL #Giveaway
I really liked the way she is writing these zombies. It is so different from other books that I’ve tried.
Melanie recently posted…Review: Taken by Fire by Sydney Croft (@mlsimmons, @LarissaIone, @StephanieTyler)
I don’t think I realized this was dystopian. That makes it way more interested than I was. I just might have to check this one out on Amazon because I do read this author. Great review!
Yes, this book is completely different from all of her other books. I know she has done several series that are spinoffs, but this one is completely new.
Melanie recently posted…Review: Taken by Fire by Sydney Croft (@mlsimmons, @LarissaIone, @StephanieTyler)
LOL I love that you couldn’t wait for audio and went ahead and read this! It’s on my tbr (and my kindle) because I’ve read so many great things about the series. You just added more reason to get to it sooner. I’m happy this was such a different (in a good way) and interesting read, Melanie!
Bookworm Brandee recently posted…Review ~ Breathe into Me ~ Sara Fawkes #BloggerShame #COYER #ShelfLove
I don’t know if these will ever be on audio. I was seeing reviews for the third book and decided that I couldn’t wait any longer. I hope you get a chance to try this series.
Melanie recently posted…Review: Taken by Fire by Sydney Croft (@mlsimmons, @LarissaIone, @StephanieTyler)
I do confess to being a bit intrigued
blodeuedd recently posted…Mischling – Affinity Konar
This is a completely new kind of series for me. It’s zombies, but not quite the same. So far, I’m loving it.
Melanie recently posted…Review: Taken by Fire by Sydney Croft (@mlsimmons, @LarissaIone, @StephanieTyler)
I currently have a cold that is kicking my hiney so I do think I’ll put this one off until later. Who knows what my cold-addled brain would make of this one. LOL I have been wanting to try this author and this one does sound like it should be on my wishlist.
Melissa (Books and Things) recently posted…Binge Post: Netflix
She has some great series. So far, I’m really enjoying this one. Sin Brothers is great too (along with Blood Brothers which is a spinoff). My least favorite that I’ve read is Dark Protectors, but I still really enjoyed it too (something has to be on the bottom LOL). I know there is at least one other series that I haven’t tried, which is a spinoff of Dark Protectors (I think).
Melanie recently posted…Review: Taken by Fire by Sydney Croft (@mlsimmons, @LarissaIone, @StephanieTyler)
This sounds a bit like The Maze Runner series by James Dashner and I really love that series. And this one totally got my attention.
Vanessa recently posted…18 New Released Romantic Books Perfect To Read this Valentine’s Day
I’ve not read the Maze Runner books or even seen the movies, so I can’t say for sure. I can say that this is a fun story. I hope you get to try it.
Melanie recently posted…Fresh Meat: February 5 to 11 — 51 Speculative Fiction Releases
ever since I seen others review this series I am kicking I have not read it yet, it looks exciting. Bacteria? post apocs..yes please
I added this series to my TBR when I read the first review for this book, however long ago that was. I kept holding out for audio, because that’s my preferred method (and most of Zanetti’s books are read by a favorite narrator, Karen White). I decided that I couldn’t wait any longer and decided to read. I hope you enjoy it as much as I have.
Melanie recently posted…Fresh Meat: February 5 to 11 — 51 Speculative Fiction Releases
I am really intrigued by this one and seeing how Zanetti dealt with the Apocalyptic theme.
Lover Of Romance recently posted…Book Review-White Fire by Cassie Edwards
I seem to be in a apocalyptic mood right now. Between starting this series, watching The Walking Dead and I just started listening to The Stand this morning. All completely different, but still fun.
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Sorry it wasn’t on audio yet, but it does sound like you really enjoyed this one. Sounds like a slightly different take on a post apocalyptical theme with how they have this bacteria that kills or changes people. The characters sound well done and it’s nice there is a romance as well. Great review!
Lola recently posted…My To-Be Read List #30: the winner
Not every series makes it to audio. Sometimes it’s just late. Other times, it’s never. It might still happen for this series. This is a very interesting take on post-apocalyptic world. I love Zanetti’s characters. No matter which series I’ve read by her, I’ve always enjoyed the characters.
Melanie recently posted…Review: The Forests Of Dru by Jeffe Kennedy (@mlsimmons, @jeffekennedy)
Ohh great review. I’ve been dying to read a book by this author for a long time now ,because I heard amazing things about her books. Thank you for the awesome post.
Katiria Rodriguez recently posted…Book Blitz & Giveaway: Romeo and What’s Her Name by Shani Petroff
She has some pretty amazing series. I’ve read almost all of them. Sim Brothers/Blood Brothers are some of my favorites too. I also enjoyed Dark Protectors.
Melanie recently posted…Review: The Forests Of Dru by Jeffe Kennedy (@mlsimmons, @jeffekennedy)
It’s good to see a dystopian story with a new twist, that will hook you!
Naomi Hop recently posted…Taking Turns by J.A. Huss ~ Review & Swoon Thursday (@jahuss)
I really like Zanetti. I think she writes really great stories. I really liked the dystopian angle of this one.
Melanie recently posted…Review: The Forests Of Dru by Jeffe Kennedy (@mlsimmons, @jeffekennedy)