Rating: 5 out of 5.

4.5 stars rounded up

Wow, what a wild ride! What did I just read? I requested this book because of these two lines in the book blurb:

Cameron Mortem has a problem―he can’t stop killing his partners.

His one directive? Don’t kill the new girl.

I was intrigued, but had no idea how crazy good this book would be. I couldn’t put it down and literally read it in one sitting, and then went straight to Kindle Unlimited and downloaded the second book in the series My Blade, Your Back and read that book in less than 24 hours. So. Freaking. Good.

This book is a combination of dark fantasy, dark romantasy, and military fiction that starts out strong and does not let up. First we have Cameron. A criminal that was selected to join Dark Forces, a brutal underground military operation built on obedience, survival, and silence. The experimental drugs they use on the soldiers kills most of them right away. All except Cameron. He’s lasted longer on the drug than any other soldier, at the expense of his mind and self-control. He is a brutally efficient killing machine with a nasty habit of killing his fellow teammates.

Emery is an assassin for her father’s illegal empire. She’s eventually caught and is waiting on death row when she’s “rescued” by the operation. She’s told she must survive the group’s training camp called The Trials and her new partner Cameron’s instability. If so, she will join the Dark Forces and not be executed. Emery isn’t sure what Cameron’s deal is, but she needs to get through to him if she has any chance of surviving. For his part, Cameron just wants to be left alone.

The Trials are brutal. The group is whittled down by a series of challenges with devastating consequences. Alliances are formed and destroyed. Trust is a luxury no one can afford. The Trials are one big mind-f*%k and there are no second chances.

Emery and Cameron are the ultimate forced proximity, enemies-to-lovers. They form a precarious truce as they go through the trials, fighting the attraction they feel for each other. Neither believes they are worthy of good things or love, but somehow they find a small bit of peace in each other. This book is brutal, and just when you think you’ve got things figured out and can catch your breath, the author throws a huge twist at you and the book ends. WHAT??

This book is a must-read. Trust me, you will not be disappointed.

I received a complimentary e-copy of this book from NetGalley and Sourcebooks Bloom Books. All opinions are my own.