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In the Company of Shadows series description:
Years after the bombs of WWIII have changed the physical and political landscape, the Agency ruthlessly works behind the scenes to take down rebel groups that threaten the current government. Their goals justify all means. Hsin Liu Vega (Sin) is their most efficient and deadly assassin ever. However, he tends to go off on unauthorized killing sprees and somehow his assigned partners all end up dead under suspicious circumstances. That is why the Agency has had him locked up in a box on the fourth floor for years. But now they think it is time to put the psychopath back in the field. With a new partner.
Boyd's mother, a high ranking Agency official, volunteers her teenage son for the position. Boyd is not afraid of death. In fact, his life has been such an endless cycle of apathy and despair for the last few years that he'd welcome it.
Can these two broken men form an efficient partnership? Can they learn to trust anyone, let alone each other? Sin doesn't give a fuck about the Agency, or the androgynous boy who holds the remote to the shock collar that is supposed to control him.
On the other hand, Boyd is strangely unafraid of the man everyone calls 'monster' and Sin seems reluctant to let his keeper get himself killed on any missions. Yet.
__________
Status: Complete
Word Count: 404,241 (42 Chapters + Epilogue)
Years after the bombs of WWIII have changed the physical and political landscape, the Agency ruthlessly works behind the scenes to take down rebel groups that threaten the current government. Their goals justify all means. Hsin Liu Vega (Sin) is their most efficient and deadly assassin ever. However, he tends to go off on unauthorized killing sprees and somehow his assigned partners all end up dead under suspicious circumstances. That is why the Agency has had him locked up in a box on the fourth floor for years. But now they think it is time to put the psychopath back in the field. With a new partner.
Boyd's mother, a high ranking Agency official, volunteers her teenage son for the position. Boyd is not afraid of death. In fact, his life has been such an endless cycle of apathy and despair for the last few years that he'd welcome it.
Can these two broken men form an efficient partnership? Can they learn to trust anyone, let alone each other? Sin doesn't give a fuck about the Agency, or the androgynous boy who holds the remote to the shock collar that is supposed to control him.
On the other hand, Boyd is strangely unafraid of the man everyone calls 'monster' and Sin seems reluctant to let his keeper get himself killed on any missions. Yet.
__________
Status: Complete
Word Count: 404,241 (42 Chapters + Epilogue)
1214 pages, ebook
First published April 2, 2011
62 people are currently reading
2,105 people want to read
About the author
Ais
23books729followersHey! I write LGBTQIA+, usually with a twist. My solo works are mostly fantasy, sci-fi, supernatural, or similar. Currently working on Wildwood Rising, a long LGBTQIA+ fantasy series; first book written/being edited: Incarnations.
Helpful links? Helpful links!
-My masterlist of original writing:
-Some of my favorite solo stories:
-My patreon- $1 for all but most things are eventually free for those who can't/won't pay:
-My site:
By the way, you may know me because I co-wrote In the Company of Shadows.
PS: I can be chatty so if you have questions, feel free to ask! Have a lovely day! <3
Helpful links? Helpful links!
-My masterlist of original writing:
-Some of my favorite solo stories:
-My patreon- $1 for all but most things are eventually free for those who can't/won't pay:
-My site:
By the way, you may know me because I co-wrote In the Company of Shadows.
PS: I can be chatty so if you have questions, feel free to ask! Have a lovely day! <3
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 370 reviews
March 2, 2013
AMENDED & FINAL REVIEW:
Additional thoughts Ch 37 - 42 + epilogue (March 2, 2013)
Good LORD! That is some FANTASTICALLY BRILLIANT stuff!!!!!
"How can they possibly wrap everything up?" "How will it end?" "What happens to...?" GAHHHHH!!!!! The last few chapters were so, so, so GOOD! I can't even...I just...I...I...GAHHHHH!!!! For fans new and old to this series, Sonny & Ais did SO RIGHT by us in how they wrapped this all up.
"Fade" is the BEST book of the series, and "In the Company of Shadows" is the BEST series I've read...ever...yup...gauntlet thrown...
At the end of it all:
Hsin & Boyd - best to you...wherever you end up, whatever you decide (love you, Hsin, forever and ever and ever)
Kassian & Ryan - stay out of trouble! (Kassian, take care of him!)
Emilio & Zach - I know, I just know...it's all ok.
Luke Gerant & Archer - my 2 under-recognized but newly-adored heroes! Welcome to my "favorites" list!
***
WIP, review for up to Ch 36 of 42 (January 7, 2013)
And so it goes�
Fade, the Final Frontier. Seriously…how do writers come UP with this stuff?! Good lord…this book�
Ok, if it were a stand-alone, I would say Fade is phenomenal. My only beef w/ Fade as part of the series is that so much of it had our MC’s apart…and at some parts not even really around�.so it was hard…I so longed for the other half.
But, of course Sonny & Ais don’t know how to do anything half-assed. Fade has the TORTURE that you’ve come to sickly crave throughout this series. It also has the LOVE that you’ve come to root for through all the various couples in this series. It has some of the HOTTEST scenes I’ve ever read. And, more so than even in the other books…it had the BEST storyline…ridiculously good…so, so freaking good.
I can’t express how much Hsin & Boyd, Ryan, Kassian, Emilio, Zach…and all the others, have gotten under my skin and into my heart. Watching them start from angry beginnings, go through near-unbearable anguish, mess-up, make-up, have their lives screwed-up by TPTB, grow-up, and find love along the way…just…no words�
By the end of Ch 36 :
Boyd � Beloved …You’ve come a long, long way kid. And though you’ve messed up in the past, as Aiko put it “you make up for it so hard�. Truth.
Hsin � I don’t want your story to end…You’ve affected me moreso than pretty much any character in a long time. I heart you. Be happy�
Danny � You. Boyd. Balcony. GOOD LAWD.
Ryan � God, I could not adore you more than I do. Mine, mine, MINE!!!!! *SQUEEEEEZZZZEEEE*
Kassian � Man, I hope you find true love…you need it.
Emilio � You have a standing invitation to any party I ever have…ever.
Zach � Finally. Sheesh. But, man, it took banging Viv to get there? Yuck.
With 6 chapters left, anything can happen. But at this point…I’m am SO, SO, RIDICULOUSLY SATISFIED. I’m looking at the final 6 as the epilogue� :)
March 9, 2018
I know many are removing their ratings and reviews of all the books they have read, written by Santino Hassell, in light of his despicable behavior. I have deleted my ratings from all Santino books I have read, because I too am shocked and appalled!!! I won't do it with the ICOS series though. I am gonna be honest here and say, that this series is one of the best I have ever read, and I am sure Ais played a big part in my enjoyment. As far as I know, Ais had nothing to do with all that has happend. Until I hear otherwise, my ratings and reviews for this series, will stay up. I am sorry for those who might not agree with me on this. I would also like to say that I am so sorry for all of you who have been hurt....my heart goes out to all of you ;) xoxo
Re-read 7/15/17....cried my eyes out again....so so good !!!
Damn these books...they are awesome but I am such a wreck right now. I'm so happy I made it, and so sad that it's done at the same time.
Once again, I am not going into the plot. There is no point to do so, because this is book 4 and it can't be read as a stand alone, so those of you who are going to read this one, will already know what and whom it's about. Also, I do not want to spoiler anything.
What I can tell you however, is that this series, even though harsh and gruesome and sad and frustrating, is about true love. Now don't go into this series, expecting roses and sunshine and romance...hell don't even go into it, if you hate your main characters to be with other people. There are other women and other men.
Also Boyd and Sin are not the only characters with a pov. This book is also about other people and their relationships. What stands out to me most though is that it is about real soulmates who need to be together. But it has never been said that true love is an easy love.... I seriously fell in love with Boyd and Sin.
I liked all 4 books and I gave all of them 5 stars !! They are so intense !! They also have the best side characters ever. Some you will love and some you will hate, and your feelings about them will change time and again. I already expressed my love for Boyd and Sin, but there is another character, I want to exclaim my love for....Emilio... Man you are one sick bastard, but your heart is in the right place and I absolutely adore your filthy ass !! He also starred one of my favorite scenes in this book. Now I don't want to spoiler anything, so I will just use a gif ;) Those of you who've read the book, will know what I mean, those of you who haven't....read the books and pay attention :) Thank you Emilio, for that scene and making me feel better !!
So now that I'm done with reading about 5000 pages, I will probably fall into the black hole of a bookslump ;) Doesn't matter, it was worth it and eventhough I really hate saying goodbye to my new best friends...I know I will always be able to visit them again with a re-read :)
Thank you Sin and Boyd, you guys rock !! And thank you to my personal support system Susan, for listening to my whining, while I read these !!!
Re-read 7/15/17....cried my eyes out again....so so good !!!
Damn these books...they are awesome but I am such a wreck right now. I'm so happy I made it, and so sad that it's done at the same time.
Once again, I am not going into the plot. There is no point to do so, because this is book 4 and it can't be read as a stand alone, so those of you who are going to read this one, will already know what and whom it's about. Also, I do not want to spoiler anything.
What I can tell you however, is that this series, even though harsh and gruesome and sad and frustrating, is about true love. Now don't go into this series, expecting roses and sunshine and romance...hell don't even go into it, if you hate your main characters to be with other people. There are other women and other men.
Also Boyd and Sin are not the only characters with a pov. This book is also about other people and their relationships. What stands out to me most though is that it is about real soulmates who need to be together. But it has never been said that true love is an easy love.... I seriously fell in love with Boyd and Sin.
I liked all 4 books and I gave all of them 5 stars !! They are so intense !! They also have the best side characters ever. Some you will love and some you will hate, and your feelings about them will change time and again. I already expressed my love for Boyd and Sin, but there is another character, I want to exclaim my love for....Emilio... Man you are one sick bastard, but your heart is in the right place and I absolutely adore your filthy ass !! He also starred one of my favorite scenes in this book. Now I don't want to spoiler anything, so I will just use a gif ;) Those of you who've read the book, will know what I mean, those of you who haven't....read the books and pay attention :) Thank you Emilio, for that scene and making me feel better !!
So now that I'm done with reading about 5000 pages, I will probably fall into the black hole of a bookslump ;) Doesn't matter, it was worth it and eventhough I really hate saying goodbye to my new best friends...I know I will always be able to visit them again with a re-read :)
Thank you Sin and Boyd, you guys rock !! And thank you to my personal support system Susan, for listening to my whining, while I read these !!!
January 18, 2018
I’ve just read this for the second time and if anything I enjoyed it even more this time. This book is incredible, it has everything including humour for which I have to thank Emilio.
Original review.
Absolutely amazingly brilliant.
I read a lot of books and I've been fortunate enough read some really great ones plus a lot of not-so-great ones as well but this has to be without a doubt the best, most addictive and compulsive series I've ever read.
It's amazing and the fact that I've 5 starred every book tells you something because I don't give 5* easily or often.
After 'Interludes' I was very apprehensive about starting this and it took comments from several friends before I found the courage to start.
My problem was Boyd's mission, I assumed this book would run with that and I wasn't sure I could cope with reading it. It didn't and I was so grateful for about a minute and then.....
Seriously these books should come with a warning (and a bottle or two of wine) it was so much worse than I expected and yet so much better.
We still get Boyd's mission retrospectively and that's bad enough but the rest OMG the rest.....
I don't want to give anything away or spoil it in anyway so I'm not saying more about the story itself.
I can't begin to describe how incredible I found this book and this series, it's taken over my life even when I'm not reading I'm thinking about the characters and the story, I've become totally obsessed with Sin and Boyd.
I still have '1/27 An ICoS Anthology' yet to read and then I'm not sure what I'll do and how I'll move on from here.
While this is the end (tears and heartbreak here) of In The Company Of Shadows I'm hoping for more, the book ended but it can be picked up again and I'm seriously hoping it is it would be a shame to not continue this it would also be a shame for this not to reach a larger audience.
I am so grateful that I have friends who've read this and their reviews pointed me in its direction, I'd never have found it otherwise.
This series is unforgettable.
Original review.
Absolutely amazingly brilliant.
I read a lot of books and I've been fortunate enough read some really great ones plus a lot of not-so-great ones as well but this has to be without a doubt the best, most addictive and compulsive series I've ever read.
It's amazing and the fact that I've 5 starred every book tells you something because I don't give 5* easily or often.
After 'Interludes' I was very apprehensive about starting this and it took comments from several friends before I found the courage to start.
My problem was Boyd's mission, I assumed this book would run with that and I wasn't sure I could cope with reading it. It didn't and I was so grateful for about a minute and then.....
Seriously these books should come with a warning (and a bottle or two of wine) it was so much worse than I expected and yet so much better.
We still get Boyd's mission retrospectively and that's bad enough but the rest OMG the rest.....
I don't want to give anything away or spoil it in anyway so I'm not saying more about the story itself.
I can't begin to describe how incredible I found this book and this series, it's taken over my life even when I'm not reading I'm thinking about the characters and the story, I've become totally obsessed with Sin and Boyd.
I still have '1/27 An ICoS Anthology' yet to read and then I'm not sure what I'll do and how I'll move on from here.
While this is the end (tears and heartbreak here) of In The Company Of Shadows I'm hoping for more, the book ended but it can be picked up again and I'm seriously hoping it is it would be a shame to not continue this it would also be a shame for this not to reach a larger audience.
I am so grateful that I have friends who've read this and their reviews pointed me in its direction, I'd never have found it otherwise.
This series is unforgettable.
May 15, 2013
The best in the series, and the most disturbing, heartbreaking, pull your hair out, weep in agony and joy, God please let me not love & worry about all of these characters, fuck it I'm losing sleep again book...ever.
You can argue till the death about these characters, and I really feel no one is wrong. Why? Because they are so realistically written. They aren't pretty, they will piss you off, they will make you cry, and all along you just want something wonderful to happen...and then, it does. These books and men are violent, extremely violent. They make descisions that are careless. They make descisions with too much thought put into them. They hurt the ones they love on purpose and sometimes on accident. They are individuals in denial with too much awareness of the world around them. They grow up along the way in painful ways and some of them never grow up. What they live up to isnt often who they are. They love with ever fiber in their being, can be selfish beyond understanding, often cant understand others, have hopes and dreams, and live every day in full color. There aren't many characters out there that can compare.
I adore them, I've loved every second of the reader bonding this series brings out, the discussions, the friendships made, and the memories I'll always hold dear. Thank you Sonny & Ais for writing this amazing series.
You can argue till the death about these characters, and I really feel no one is wrong. Why? Because they are so realistically written. They aren't pretty, they will piss you off, they will make you cry, and all along you just want something wonderful to happen...and then, it does. These books and men are violent, extremely violent. They make descisions that are careless. They make descisions with too much thought put into them. They hurt the ones they love on purpose and sometimes on accident. They are individuals in denial with too much awareness of the world around them. They grow up along the way in painful ways and some of them never grow up. What they live up to isnt often who they are. They love with ever fiber in their being, can be selfish beyond understanding, often cant understand others, have hopes and dreams, and live every day in full color. There aren't many characters out there that can compare.
I adore them, I've loved every second of the reader bonding this series brings out, the discussions, the friendships made, and the memories I'll always hold dear. Thank you Sonny & Ais for writing this amazing series.
May 5, 2019
After the rather ominous ending of the prequel, I felt ready to jump into Boyd's lengthy undercover mission, and yearn alongside him for the much anticipated reunion with Hsin... but the authors had a completely different idea about that. They skipped right through those particular horrors, and straight into the utter despair of a changed home life.
When I say that a book made me cry, I normally think of a few sniffles I let loose at the end, generally at the expense of children or animals suffering. In here, I was in full on sob-fest for the duration of the first 200+ pages, and still felt the need for the occasional encore later on. Since I read an average of about 50 pages/hour, I'm sure you can appreciate the lovely Sunday I've been having. Yes, I'm that slow... moreso when things get depressing.
So I resorted to reading reviews, to try and assure myself that things couldn't possibly be at their worst... only to quickly move back to reading the actual book, for fear of spoilers. When the oppressive depression got too bad, I considered mixing things up with some feel-good fanfiction of what-if scenarios from Vermont, but my mind kept being pulled back into Boyd's inevitably bleak, if surprisingly determined, present mindset.
In essence, this book felt like one big package of a never ending list of unfairness, starting with the new Marshall, ending with Vivian Beaulieu's raison d'être, and interspersed with every single one of Boyd's anguished screams.
... so I totally had to come back later, to reread all those shmexy and fluffy scenes I was too stressed to properly appreciate before.
Score: 4.7/5 stars
ICoS was such a contradictory series for me. On the one hand it has all the writing pet-peeves that I ran away from in M/F stories, and it's depressing enough to be perpetually illustrated by wind-swept, and rain-soaked greyscale GIFs.
But at the same time, it's also a love story between two wonderful, broken and incredibly twisted men, that has kept me obsessed for a month a half now. Despite the insane amount of pain, suffering and overall unfair situations that Boyd and Hsin are constantly thrown into, I could weather through them all, knowing that there would be a final scene, with them riding off into the sunset. What can I say: I'm such a sucker for the happily-ever-after.
====================
Review of vol1 of book 1: Evenfall: Volume 1: Director's Cut
Review of vol2 of book 1: Evenfall: Volume 2: Director's Cut
Review of book 2: Afterimage
Review of book 3: The Interludes
When I say that a book made me cry, I normally think of a few sniffles I let loose at the end, generally at the expense of children or animals suffering. In here, I was in full on sob-fest for the duration of the first 200+ pages, and still felt the need for the occasional encore later on. Since I read an average of about 50 pages/hour, I'm sure you can appreciate the lovely Sunday I've been having. Yes, I'm that slow... moreso when things get depressing.
So I resorted to reading reviews, to try and assure myself that things couldn't possibly be at their worst... only to quickly move back to reading the actual book, for fear of spoilers. When the oppressive depression got too bad, I considered mixing things up with some feel-good fanfiction of what-if scenarios from Vermont, but my mind kept being pulled back into Boyd's inevitably bleak, if surprisingly determined, present mindset.
In essence, this book felt like one big package of a never ending list of unfairness, starting with the new Marshall, ending with Vivian Beaulieu's raison d'être, and interspersed with every single one of Boyd's anguished screams.
... so I totally had to come back later, to reread all those shmexy and fluffy scenes I was too stressed to properly appreciate before.
Score: 4.7/5 stars
ICoS was such a contradictory series for me. On the one hand it has all the writing pet-peeves that I ran away from in M/F stories, and it's depressing enough to be perpetually illustrated by wind-swept, and rain-soaked greyscale GIFs.
But at the same time, it's also a love story between two wonderful, broken and incredibly twisted men, that has kept me obsessed for a month a half now. Despite the insane amount of pain, suffering and overall unfair situations that Boyd and Hsin are constantly thrown into, I could weather through them all, knowing that there would be a final scene, with them riding off into the sunset. What can I say: I'm such a sucker for the happily-ever-after.
====================
Review of vol1 of book 1: Evenfall: Volume 1: Director's Cut
Review of vol2 of book 1: Evenfall: Volume 2: Director's Cut
Review of book 2: Afterimage
Review of book 3: The Interludes
January 20, 2014
I'm so sad because I never wanted this to end I could read about these characters forever!!! I am in LOVE with series and I can't believe it's OVER!!!
I just cant believe it's over......CONSUMED these books consumed ME!! Im guessing here, on the length of this series, but 4000+ pages and I'm pissed because I can't wake up tomorrow and read MORE!! This should never end.....yes I'm a greedy bitch and I don't CARE!!
Hsin "Sin"
Oh my sweet psychotic Hsin.....you stole my heart!!! I will never forget you....you are the tragic hero that people will either love or hate. I say screw the ones who hate because now you know who you are and you are beautifully flawed! You were dealt such a shitty hand but you let him in and it was so wonderful and painful watching it all unfold. You are also a badass f*cker and to answer a question in the book.........YES your strength would turn anyone on!!! Bruise me....toss me around....use me like a PUPPET...I don't care!! But he loves you and I love the way he loves you so I'm gonna have to step back and be the bigger person here.....sorry but that's just the way it is:)
Boyd
Damn boy you REALLY grew up through this series!! I didn't like you much at first because quite frankly I thought you were just an emo punk but you have WOWED me since book 1. Your devotion and love for, not just for Hsin, but for everyone you deem trustworthy is beautiful!! The pain you felt in the first part of book4 killed me......I almost cried and I don't cry when I read!!! The fact that you didn't give up and had the tenacity to overcome it was so endearing to me! I love you like a brother but Im so jealous of you!!! I want them green eyes staring at ME not YOU!
Emilio
OMG YOU bastard.....I LOVE YOU!!!! I love everything you say everything you do!!! I want to hang out with YOU!! If I could rip a character out of a book I think it would be you!!! You are like a bulldog on a bone when you get something in your mind, you could careless what anyone thinks about you....the sarcasm, the insults, the devotion, the love.......I love YOU!!! You might be a slut but who cares.....well I know one who might care;). Mwahhhhhhh my Emilio I will never forget you!!!
Zachary
Stoic and steadfast! You always stood by the ones you loved even when it was tough love. I didn't always agree with your decisions in the beginning but looking back you did it out of love! If everyone could have someone like you in their life the world would be a great place. I wish you wouldn't have f*cked with my mans head so much but I'm willing to over look it because I knew through out it all you had everyone's best interest at hand.
Kassian
Damn you.....I hated you for awhile but in reality you helped calm the storm. I loved all the controversy you brought on all sides but seriously dude remember to turn the comm unit off next time!!!!!!!!!! You are alright with now though.....you always came thru when someone needed you;)
Ryan
I want to pinch your cheeks!!!!!!!! Love love love you!!!! You knew who was important from the beginning and your loyalty astounds me......precious and trustworthy is all I can say.....everyone needs a friend like you!
Vivienne
You are a BITCH....no one should treat their child that way! Because of the ending I understand your logic, but it doesn't excuse it! If you would have shown him a little bit of love he would have been completely loyal to you.....well I guess at times you did show a small modicum of love but when I say small I mean SMALL! Anyway you came through in the end so you get a few points from me.
Owen
You crazy weirdo take a NAP!!! Jesus I don't know what to think about you....hell I still don't know what to think about you!! You did crack me up though!!!! The shit you said was ridiculous and funny but I just never knew where your loyalties lie and I still don't know but you made laugh so I'll give you a pass.
Jeffery
Meh.....that's all I'm saying about him! He always seemed shady to me.
Ivan
Meh......that's all I'm saying about him! If you read it. You'll understand!
There's so many more characters but I'm not going into them all.....I just hit the highlights above.
There aren't many series where even the "supposedly" secondary characters really matter to me but that wasn't the case here.....no matter who was in the spotlight I loved IT!!! In the end though everyone had a role to play so I'm not sure if they should even be called secondary characters because they all played a part!!
Nothing ever went as planned and you were always left with the feeling of "WTF will happen next," I secretly love that feeling!!!!!
Breakdown Book by Book
Book 1 - Damn that was good!!! I mean REALLY GOOD!!!!! Wow!!!! Oh shit I'm in love these characters!!
Book 2 - OMG I can't believe it......I'm in love with this series.....I can't stop.....I have to continue.....I don't want this to end......I'm obsessed....but I can't stop!!!!! Life around me is continuing but all I can do is read!!!
Book 3 - And the PLOT thickens......oh shit I'm getting ready to start the last book!!! I have to draw it out because I don't want this to end!!!!
Book 4 - OH shittttttttt! This book is good and sad and my emotions are all over the place!!!!! Oh no I'm finished I want to cry....it can't be over!!! Noooooooooooooooo it can't be.......I need more....I want more....nnooooooooooooooooo!
OMG I'm rambling!!! However this series is by far one of the BEST I've ever read....at work I thought about it.....at home I thought about it.....during conversations I thought about it...listening to music I thought about it.....I told my husband not to talk me bc I couldn't stop.....he was ready to strangle me....by the way remember 4000+ pages yea he was ready to kill me.....the point of this is......
DO NOT READ THIS SERIES UNLESS YOU ARE READY TO BE CONSUMED!!! BECAUSE IT WILL CONSUME EVERY THOUGHT YOU HAVE!!
I just cant believe it's over......CONSUMED these books consumed ME!! Im guessing here, on the length of this series, but 4000+ pages and I'm pissed because I can't wake up tomorrow and read MORE!! This should never end.....yes I'm a greedy bitch and I don't CARE!!
Hsin "Sin"
Oh my sweet psychotic Hsin.....you stole my heart!!! I will never forget you....you are the tragic hero that people will either love or hate. I say screw the ones who hate because now you know who you are and you are beautifully flawed! You were dealt such a shitty hand but you let him in and it was so wonderful and painful watching it all unfold. You are also a badass f*cker and to answer a question in the book.........YES your strength would turn anyone on!!! Bruise me....toss me around....use me like a PUPPET...I don't care!! But he loves you and I love the way he loves you so I'm gonna have to step back and be the bigger person here.....sorry but that's just the way it is:)
Boyd
Damn boy you REALLY grew up through this series!! I didn't like you much at first because quite frankly I thought you were just an emo punk but you have WOWED me since book 1. Your devotion and love for, not just for Hsin, but for everyone you deem trustworthy is beautiful!! The pain you felt in the first part of book4 killed me......I almost cried and I don't cry when I read!!! The fact that you didn't give up and had the tenacity to overcome it was so endearing to me! I love you like a brother but Im so jealous of you!!! I want them green eyes staring at ME not YOU!
Emilio
OMG YOU bastard.....I LOVE YOU!!!! I love everything you say everything you do!!! I want to hang out with YOU!! If I could rip a character out of a book I think it would be you!!! You are like a bulldog on a bone when you get something in your mind, you could careless what anyone thinks about you....the sarcasm, the insults, the devotion, the love.......I love YOU!!! You might be a slut but who cares.....well I know one who might care;). Mwahhhhhhh my Emilio I will never forget you!!!
Zachary
Stoic and steadfast! You always stood by the ones you loved even when it was tough love. I didn't always agree with your decisions in the beginning but looking back you did it out of love! If everyone could have someone like you in their life the world would be a great place. I wish you wouldn't have f*cked with my mans head so much but I'm willing to over look it because I knew through out it all you had everyone's best interest at hand.
Kassian
Damn you.....I hated you for awhile but in reality you helped calm the storm. I loved all the controversy you brought on all sides but seriously dude remember to turn the comm unit off next time!!!!!!!!!! You are alright with now though.....you always came thru when someone needed you;)
Ryan
I want to pinch your cheeks!!!!!!!! Love love love you!!!! You knew who was important from the beginning and your loyalty astounds me......precious and trustworthy is all I can say.....everyone needs a friend like you!
Vivienne
You are a BITCH....no one should treat their child that way! Because of the ending I understand your logic, but it doesn't excuse it! If you would have shown him a little bit of love he would have been completely loyal to you.....well I guess at times you did show a small modicum of love but when I say small I mean SMALL! Anyway you came through in the end so you get a few points from me.
Owen
You crazy weirdo take a NAP!!! Jesus I don't know what to think about you....hell I still don't know what to think about you!! You did crack me up though!!!! The shit you said was ridiculous and funny but I just never knew where your loyalties lie and I still don't know but you made laugh so I'll give you a pass.
Jeffery
Meh.....that's all I'm saying about him! He always seemed shady to me.
Ivan
Meh......that's all I'm saying about him! If you read it. You'll understand!
There's so many more characters but I'm not going into them all.....I just hit the highlights above.
There aren't many series where even the "supposedly" secondary characters really matter to me but that wasn't the case here.....no matter who was in the spotlight I loved IT!!! In the end though everyone had a role to play so I'm not sure if they should even be called secondary characters because they all played a part!!
Nothing ever went as planned and you were always left with the feeling of "WTF will happen next," I secretly love that feeling!!!!!
Breakdown Book by Book
Book 1 - Damn that was good!!! I mean REALLY GOOD!!!!! Wow!!!! Oh shit I'm in love these characters!!
Book 2 - OMG I can't believe it......I'm in love with this series.....I can't stop.....I have to continue.....I don't want this to end......I'm obsessed....but I can't stop!!!!! Life around me is continuing but all I can do is read!!!
Book 3 - And the PLOT thickens......oh shit I'm getting ready to start the last book!!! I have to draw it out because I don't want this to end!!!!
Book 4 - OH shittttttttt! This book is good and sad and my emotions are all over the place!!!!! Oh no I'm finished I want to cry....it can't be over!!! Noooooooooooooooo it can't be.......I need more....I want more....nnooooooooooooooooo!
OMG I'm rambling!!! However this series is by far one of the BEST I've ever read....at work I thought about it.....at home I thought about it.....during conversations I thought about it...listening to music I thought about it.....I told my husband not to talk me bc I couldn't stop.....he was ready to strangle me....by the way remember 4000+ pages yea he was ready to kill me.....the point of this is......
DO NOT READ THIS SERIES UNLESS YOU ARE READY TO BE CONSUMED!!! BECAUSE IT WILL CONSUME EVERY THOUGHT YOU HAVE!!
September 13, 2013
I wish I would've met you
Now it's a little late
What you could've taught me
I could've saved some face
They think that your early ending
Was all wrong
For the most part, they're right
But look how they all got strong
That's why I say
Hey man nice shot
What a good shot man
That's why I say
Hey man nice shot
What a good shot man
A man has gun
Hey man, have fun
Nice shot
Now that the smoke's gone
And the air is all clear
Those who were right there
Got a new kind of fear
You'd fight and you were right
But they were just too strong
They'd stick it in your face
And let you smell
What they consider wrong
That's why I say
Hey man nice shot
What a good shot man
That's why I say
Hey man nice shot
What a good shot man
A man has gun
Hey man, have fun
Nice shot
A man has gun
Nice shot man
Hey, nice shot man
I wish I would've met you
I wish I would've met you
I wish I would've met you
I wish I would've met you
I'd say nice shot
Read
March 5, 2018"A dismal end to lives forever cast in shadow."
If I could use only one word to describe ‘Fade� that word would be PAIN.
‘Fade� ripped me apart, had me ugly crying regularly, so much so that I had puffy eyes for about two days straight which led to people constantly asking me if I was okay. It necessitated the very first ‘Irish ICoS Support Group� being set up and it basically took over my life completely for 9 days.
So yeah pain. But it was a beautiful kind of pain.
This series was a fabulous experience. The characters (good and pure evil) are going to be staying with me for a long, long time to come. Hsin and Boyd’s relationship was an epic one. The two of them together was so wonderful and so intense, the two of them apart was soul destroying.
”He lost connection with everything except the agony that burrowed a seed down into his heart.�
“Why did he always have to be the one left behind? Why did he always have to be the one to gather the broken pieces and glue them back together, a mockery of what he'd once been? Why did he always have to suffer through the loss—that gaping, wrenching loss that sucked him up, ripped him apart, and carelessly threw him aside?"
The places Hsin and Boyd go in this book were so surprising and as painful as the journey they took was, it was also extraordinary. It makes me giddy and distraught just thinking about them in Annadale. It felt to me that no matter what, no matter the obstacles that were placed in their path they would find each other. Together they would overcome everything.
Boyd’s pain was palpable at times throughout this. There were times in the series that myself and Boyd fell out. I tried to look at things from his point of view many times and most of the time I understood why he did what he did. That was until a certain foot message which caused me to have a totally irrational meltdown. After that we drifted apart for a little but all was forgiven in this. ‘Fade� is mostly Boyd’s POV and it was just incredible, he will now forever be on my ‘heroes I love� shelf (along with Hsin and Emilio of course) and being with him through some really awful events and some truly beautiful ones was one of the best reading experiences I’ve ever had.
“Freedom is not worth it without him. I don’t remember everything, but I know that.�
I am so sad to be finished ICoS. It is such an addictive series and one of the best I’ve ever read. For 31 days I obsessed, I cried, I laughed, I screamed, I fell in love and I fell in hate with the characters in this world. I met wonderful people on Twitter, here and in RL because of it. I dreamt of it every night and when I wasn’t reading it I was staring off into space thinking about it. I have no idea what to do with myself now. I feel kind of lost. Thanking Ais and Sonny for this seems so inadequate. It still boggles my mind that this is free, it’s an amazing gift and one I will be forever grateful for.
”It’s because the truth is important. Never let anyone tell you differently, Boyd. Even if it hurts to say, even if it’s painful to hear, even if you wish you could run the other way � it’s important. It separates the people with integrity from the deceivers. It’s what makes a person trustworthy. Somebody to believe in. �
So onwards we go. I’m excited about what’s next.
”But that was the way it went anytime a person was on the precipice of change. The fear of the future mixed with the loss of the past. At those times, all a person could do was step forward.�
June 8, 2016
BIGGEST 5 STARS IN THE WHOLE UNIVERSE for this REMARKABLE, PHENOMENAL, ASTONISHING, WONDERFUL, AWESOME BOOK that is
ABSOLUTELY MARVELLOUS!!!
Question: How can you describe THE BEST BOOK you've read so far? How can you describe the last book in the most AMAZING series in the world? And I am talking here about a series that kept me up for so many nights and consumed me so much!!!
Answer: You just can't find the perfect words! Stop trying to... There are no words to do it justice... unfortunately.
It was very hard for me to start to write this review.
Sometimes it's hard for me to write about a book I didn't like. But I never expected to be so difficult searching for words to describe a book that I absolutely loved!
Well it seems I can't find my words when I try to describe anything related to this series. Maybe because I already know that anything I write will somehow ruin it's pure beauty...
I don't want to give too much away. Josy is still reading it. So enjoy it my dear and I don't want to ruin any of the surprises! :)
I on the other hand, I begged so much for some spoilers, but ***Ralu*** is such a good friend and didn't want to ruin it for me, so she didn't say a word! So, thank you Ralu!!!
It was awesome to discover this last book. It was so different from what I imagined...
I must add some spoilers. Seems like I just can't keep it to myself:
So this book was NOT predictable. At all! This is one of the many reasons I think it is the best.
It was so much more than I expected and after 3 wonderful books I expected A LOT. But I just couldn't imagine any of the things that actually happened.
The first half of the book made me ache, SO BAD! But I just couldn't accept it. Pure and simple! So I waited for the things to fit in place... without any patience left in my bones... BUT IT WAS WORTH IT! The waiting.
Oh boy, any time I thought everything was about to settle down, it was just the silence before the storm... AND the beginning of another chapter FULL OF ACTION AND SUSPENSE. Of course. It's ICoS after all!!!
Well I wish I could write more but I won't because I learned on my own skin that it is better to discover yourself all the goodies in the books.
And ICoS is just too perfect to try to analyze more. It has so many KEY points and so many characters you learned to love - Emilio and Carhart, but Kassian too. GOD, I MISS THEM ALREADY!!!
If you read the book/series you know what I'm talking about. If you didn't ... well, you really, really, really have to read ICoS!!!
And I also feel the need to thank to Sonny and Ais for this precious, oh so precious gift that is this PERFECT series!
Can't wait to read !!!
ABSOLUTELY MARVELLOUS!!!
Question: How can you describe THE BEST BOOK you've read so far? How can you describe the last book in the most AMAZING series in the world? And I am talking here about a series that kept me up for so many nights and consumed me so much!!!
Answer: You just can't find the perfect words! Stop trying to... There are no words to do it justice... unfortunately.
It was very hard for me to start to write this review.
Sometimes it's hard for me to write about a book I didn't like. But I never expected to be so difficult searching for words to describe a book that I absolutely loved!
Well it seems I can't find my words when I try to describe anything related to this series. Maybe because I already know that anything I write will somehow ruin it's pure beauty...
I don't want to give too much away. Josy is still reading it. So enjoy it my dear and I don't want to ruin any of the surprises! :)
I on the other hand, I begged so much for some spoilers, but ***Ralu*** is such a good friend and didn't want to ruin it for me, so she didn't say a word! So, thank you Ralu!!!
It was awesome to discover this last book. It was so different from what I imagined...
I must add some spoilers. Seems like I just can't keep it to myself:
So this book was NOT predictable. At all! This is one of the many reasons I think it is the best.
It was so much more than I expected and after 3 wonderful books I expected A LOT. But I just couldn't imagine any of the things that actually happened.
The first half of the book made me ache, SO BAD! But I just couldn't accept it. Pure and simple! So I waited for the things to fit in place... without any patience left in my bones... BUT IT WAS WORTH IT! The waiting.
Oh boy, any time I thought everything was about to settle down, it was just the silence before the storm... AND the beginning of another chapter FULL OF ACTION AND SUSPENSE. Of course. It's ICoS after all!!!
Well I wish I could write more but I won't because I learned on my own skin that it is better to discover yourself all the goodies in the books.
And ICoS is just too perfect to try to analyze more. It has so many KEY points and so many characters you learned to love - Emilio and Carhart, but Kassian too. GOD, I MISS THEM ALREADY!!!
If you read the book/series you know what I'm talking about. If you didn't ... well, you really, really, really have to read ICoS!!!
And I also feel the need to thank to Sonny and Ais for this precious, oh so precious gift that is this PERFECT series!
Can't wait to read !!!
March 25, 2015
You know that terrible sinking feeling you get when you realize that the alternate universe you've been living in (and loving) has just finished? Yep, I'm feeling it post Fade... but it's completely worth it.
Here's the thing with 'In the Company of Shadows': it's long. It's so long that there were times when I rolled my eyes and felt like all the teeny tiny details were completely unnecessary... BUT they weren't. The details and inner ramblings served their purpose in helping us love and understand the characters and their predicaments.
The most interesting thing and what I can't seem to fathom is how the authors managed to navigate this plot. I mean, it is an immensely complicated tapestry of clues, characters and events. It's genius and with each page you turn the plot just thickens.
The characters were awesome and so well developed. Some were instantly lovable, while others were incredibly despicable. At the same time, all were intriguing (and a few a worthy of their own stand-alone books). There's an amazing point where the authors managed to convey a clear shift in personality when one of the characters 'changes' from one moment to the next. You could feel the difference in persona immediately. Just. So. Clever.
The authors were kind enough to give us an extra sensory stimulus where a soundtrack song is noted to accompany a particular scene/chapter. It was the freaken bomb. There were parts of the story which had me feeling like I'd literally lost my breath. Parts where you could feel the tension rising to Defcon 1 or alternatively a plot twist that smacks you in the face and knocks you off your feet without any chance of seeing it coming.
So at the very end of this amazing journey (around 4,500 pages) I wanted to get off my numb bum and give this story a standing ovation. Really, it was that good.
Oh, and by the way, I'm a Vega Lover. I'll wear the t-shirt and use the mug 'cause them Vegas are totes hot.
Here's the thing with 'In the Company of Shadows': it's long. It's so long that there were times when I rolled my eyes and felt like all the teeny tiny details were completely unnecessary... BUT they weren't. The details and inner ramblings served their purpose in helping us love and understand the characters and their predicaments.
The most interesting thing and what I can't seem to fathom is how the authors managed to navigate this plot. I mean, it is an immensely complicated tapestry of clues, characters and events. It's genius and with each page you turn the plot just thickens.
The characters were awesome and so well developed. Some were instantly lovable, while others were incredibly despicable. At the same time, all were intriguing (and a few a worthy of their own stand-alone books). There's an amazing point where the authors managed to convey a clear shift in personality when one of the characters 'changes' from one moment to the next. You could feel the difference in persona immediately. Just. So. Clever.
The authors were kind enough to give us an extra sensory stimulus where a soundtrack song is noted to accompany a particular scene/chapter. It was the freaken bomb. There were parts of the story which had me feeling like I'd literally lost my breath. Parts where you could feel the tension rising to Defcon 1 or alternatively a plot twist that smacks you in the face and knocks you off your feet without any chance of seeing it coming.
So at the very end of this amazing journey (around 4,500 pages) I wanted to get off my numb bum and give this story a standing ovation. Really, it was that good.
Oh, and by the way, I'm a Vega Lover. I'll wear the t-shirt and use the mug 'cause them Vegas are totes hot.
November 17, 2023
� 4.25 stars �
“With their line of profession, it had also been inevitable that they would die young; it had just been a question of how young.
But they could have grown as old together as possible for them. They could have made a life together the way they should have all along. They could have been their own small, imperfect family.
They could have loved each other into the future.�
When you live In The Company of Shadows long enough, there is that inherent fear that your being may Fade away into existence. And like all good things, they must come to an end. The final chapter to Boyd's story was one built upon the steady read of a month's time period, only to catapult into a continuous spiel towards the finish line, because I could not hold off any longer. Such is the art of a captivating plot and compelling group of characters that you let into your life, only for you to want to be a part of theirs.
“Sin represented protection, safety, love, happiness... All the things he'd lost, and all the things he'd been terrified he would never regain.�
If Sin's heart belongs with Boyd, then Boyd truly was the heart of this series. Seeing his character development, the growth that he achieved through the four months that I spent reading this series pale to the years that captured his life. He was the unexpected that the Agency did not expect - a catalyst set in motion even before he was even aware of how much he was entangled in their machinations. 😢😢 He played so many various roles - always with the utmost care - proving himself to others that he was a force to be reckoned with - that no matter how many times they broke him, he would never give up - that he wouldn't be a victim, one who would meet 'a dismal end to lives forever cast in shadow.' The emotional trauma at the start of 'the piece of him that would always be left unfinished without his partner felt like a gaping hole that needed to be filled' followed by the journey of loneliness within and that welcoming comfort that embraced him wholeheartedly at the end - I savored every minute of his growth - his strength and his courage. 🥺🥺
Sin - you will always be famous. I loved your resurgence, I loved your closure, I loved how you became more than just 'a person was worn down until they became a shell of who they once were.' Your clap backs, your blasé brazen attitude, the confidence of someone who would literally walk through fire, one who finally allowed his emotions to appear, his fear of losing Boyd again and again, 'the end goal was Boyd, and everyone else could go to hell if they weren't going to help him get to that goal.' - I cherished and relished it all. He never lost the power behind his being and his attitude with everyone around him - iconic and still one of a kind - never borderline asshole, just being true to himself. 🤧🤧
“You think it's funny?" He tilted his head slightly, his cheek rubbing against Sin's as he let out a ragged breath. "All it takes from you is one look and I forget everything else.�
Sin and Boyd. Boyd and Hsin. 🫠🫠 'Two people who had made it work despite all of the shit they'd gone through together' and made 'the impossible seem possible'. You will forever be in my mind and in my heart - their love story is everything to me; something so raw and emotionally distraught - overshadowed by so much pain and struggle and tears, that when they have the time to shine - they sparkle! 🥹🥹 The way they feel about each other - the way they move with each other - the yearning, the wanting, the claiming - their feelings that leave them in a choke-hold and me glued to the screen at the raw animal magnetism that exudes when they are in the mere vicinity of one another. I will never not be able to hear 'David Guetta ft. Nicki Minaj - Turn Me On' and not be able to think about them, cuz that scene was!!! ❤️🔥🤌🏼❤️🔥🤌� Ah, it was intoxicating - 'moments like this, memories of moments like this; Sin wanting him so bad that nothing else mattered, nothing but the two of them. � All that mattered was them.' 💘💘
And their reunion - I want to live in that moment forever - I want it forever ingrained in my mind - that visceral clawing of wanting to grip someone as close to you as can be - 'the world both stopped moving and gained color again' and 'their bodies crashed together and it should have been painful but it wasn't, it wasn't, not with that solid weight holding him up.' ❤️🩹❤️� So unbelievably tender - so disbelievingly real, so emotionally gut-wrenching, and still so breathtakingly beautiful at their shared breaths of missing one another and the soft and gentle reassurance that this was very much real with how 'his entire life was consumed by the simple touches of Sin's fingers and lips.' 🤌🏻🤌🏻
“We're a mess. It never gets easier with us. I just get more psychotic and you just—I don't even know. You just accept it."
"'Cause it don't bother me. I just wanna know..." Emilio looked up at him again, lips pursed and eyes narrowed. "Do you really hate me?�
How could I not mention Emilio and Carhart - their story was adjacent to Boyd and Hsin's - their relationship as conflicting and explosive as one would expect for how they first came together and what drew them closer still. 😅😅 Their intense push and pull, the potent hatred of knowing that they're playing off each other, only to realize that all they ever wanted was each other. Ah, their passion was so fiery and damning, but their confession - so brutally perfect - done in the only way that suited them best - that fit their personalities so well. 👌🏻👌🏻 They were the father figures hiding in the shadows all this time for Boyd and Sin, whether they wanted it or not.
'All of the arguments, disappointments, the rare good moments that mixed in with all of the bad' - it was so bittersweet just to see how each of them treated the other. Emilio may be Sin's father, but when Sin warns Carhart that 'If you let them hurt you, I'll come back. I'll kill them all,' I teared up; when Carhart joked that Emilio wanted to hug Boyd, but didn't quite know how to ask - the surprise and relief of Boyd's firm hug to Emilio, with the whisper against his shoulder, 'I'm glad you were a creepy stalker in Monterrey. It means I got to meet you.' Everything that led up to this final moment - was so very worth it. 🥰🥰
The vast cast of characters have grown and they have grown on me. 'They were all there. Carhart, Ryan, Owen, Jeffrey, Kassian, Harriet. Seong and Katsaros at the head of the table. Vivienne next to them. Their playful interactions, their biting jibes, their scintillating banter, their bond of connecting on the battlefield and off has been a joy to read. They became a family - a unit - united they stand, divided they fall, and when they were called to action, each of them rose to the occasion. No character was a waste of screen time, each had their moment to shine - to have a purpose and play a part. It was as if I was saying goodbye to a cast of characters on a TV show that had invited me into their weekly moments only realizing that I was at its series finale. I'm going to miss them.
“But that was the way it went anytime a person was on the precipice of change. The fear of the future mixed with the loss of the past. At those times, all a person could do was step forward.�
I can only imagine that if this series had been properly edited - what a gem of a read it would be. But, perhaps there is some beauty to it not being edited that makes it all the more special; that it's that inherent flaw that is overlooked for how much it engrosses you with everything else. The writers did such an excellent job of bringing forth plot lines from the first book, shedding light on them, how so many things had been set in motion for so long - only for it finally to come to a head - everything to unravel simply because they had had enough.
That you know the faults and errors exist, but the extraneous writing actually makes for an even more entertaining ride. 👏🏻👏🏻 'The Agency was a horrible place full of sociopaths who believed that lying and manipulating people was okay as long as there was a greater good'. Lines were crossed, sides were chosen, and everyone banded together to make a stand and I was on the sidelines cheering for their victory. It's the adrenaline rush that I will remember - chasing after a feeling of knowing it's about to end, but making the most of it, as much as I can.
I really felt the entire range of emotions with this final chapter; there was never a dull moment, not a morsel of boredom or a lull in the plot that would deter me from completing it. It's a special series, certainly not without its faults, but the reading experience is something I will treasure forever - one I will look back on with very much fondness in the years to come. 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
“With their line of profession, it had also been inevitable that they would die young; it had just been a question of how young.
But they could have grown as old together as possible for them. They could have made a life together the way they should have all along. They could have been their own small, imperfect family.
They could have loved each other into the future.�
When you live In The Company of Shadows long enough, there is that inherent fear that your being may Fade away into existence. And like all good things, they must come to an end. The final chapter to Boyd's story was one built upon the steady read of a month's time period, only to catapult into a continuous spiel towards the finish line, because I could not hold off any longer. Such is the art of a captivating plot and compelling group of characters that you let into your life, only for you to want to be a part of theirs.
“Sin represented protection, safety, love, happiness... All the things he'd lost, and all the things he'd been terrified he would never regain.�
If Sin's heart belongs with Boyd, then Boyd truly was the heart of this series. Seeing his character development, the growth that he achieved through the four months that I spent reading this series pale to the years that captured his life. He was the unexpected that the Agency did not expect - a catalyst set in motion even before he was even aware of how much he was entangled in their machinations. 😢😢 He played so many various roles - always with the utmost care - proving himself to others that he was a force to be reckoned with - that no matter how many times they broke him, he would never give up - that he wouldn't be a victim, one who would meet 'a dismal end to lives forever cast in shadow.' The emotional trauma at the start of 'the piece of him that would always be left unfinished without his partner felt like a gaping hole that needed to be filled' followed by the journey of loneliness within and that welcoming comfort that embraced him wholeheartedly at the end - I savored every minute of his growth - his strength and his courage. 🥺🥺
Sin - you will always be famous. I loved your resurgence, I loved your closure, I loved how you became more than just 'a person was worn down until they became a shell of who they once were.' Your clap backs, your blasé brazen attitude, the confidence of someone who would literally walk through fire, one who finally allowed his emotions to appear, his fear of losing Boyd again and again, 'the end goal was Boyd, and everyone else could go to hell if they weren't going to help him get to that goal.' - I cherished and relished it all. He never lost the power behind his being and his attitude with everyone around him - iconic and still one of a kind - never borderline asshole, just being true to himself. 🤧🤧
“You think it's funny?" He tilted his head slightly, his cheek rubbing against Sin's as he let out a ragged breath. "All it takes from you is one look and I forget everything else.�
Sin and Boyd. Boyd and Hsin. 🫠🫠 'Two people who had made it work despite all of the shit they'd gone through together' and made 'the impossible seem possible'. You will forever be in my mind and in my heart - their love story is everything to me; something so raw and emotionally distraught - overshadowed by so much pain and struggle and tears, that when they have the time to shine - they sparkle! 🥹🥹 The way they feel about each other - the way they move with each other - the yearning, the wanting, the claiming - their feelings that leave them in a choke-hold and me glued to the screen at the raw animal magnetism that exudes when they are in the mere vicinity of one another. I will never not be able to hear 'David Guetta ft. Nicki Minaj - Turn Me On' and not be able to think about them, cuz that scene was!!! ❤️🔥🤌🏼❤️🔥🤌� Ah, it was intoxicating - 'moments like this, memories of moments like this; Sin wanting him so bad that nothing else mattered, nothing but the two of them. � All that mattered was them.' 💘💘
And their reunion - I want to live in that moment forever - I want it forever ingrained in my mind - that visceral clawing of wanting to grip someone as close to you as can be - 'the world both stopped moving and gained color again' and 'their bodies crashed together and it should have been painful but it wasn't, it wasn't, not with that solid weight holding him up.' ❤️🩹❤️� So unbelievably tender - so disbelievingly real, so emotionally gut-wrenching, and still so breathtakingly beautiful at their shared breaths of missing one another and the soft and gentle reassurance that this was very much real with how 'his entire life was consumed by the simple touches of Sin's fingers and lips.' 🤌🏻🤌🏻
“We're a mess. It never gets easier with us. I just get more psychotic and you just—I don't even know. You just accept it."
"'Cause it don't bother me. I just wanna know..." Emilio looked up at him again, lips pursed and eyes narrowed. "Do you really hate me?�
How could I not mention Emilio and Carhart - their story was adjacent to Boyd and Hsin's - their relationship as conflicting and explosive as one would expect for how they first came together and what drew them closer still. 😅😅 Their intense push and pull, the potent hatred of knowing that they're playing off each other, only to realize that all they ever wanted was each other. Ah, their passion was so fiery and damning, but their confession - so brutally perfect - done in the only way that suited them best - that fit their personalities so well. 👌🏻👌🏻 They were the father figures hiding in the shadows all this time for Boyd and Sin, whether they wanted it or not.
'All of the arguments, disappointments, the rare good moments that mixed in with all of the bad' - it was so bittersweet just to see how each of them treated the other. Emilio may be Sin's father, but when Sin warns Carhart that 'If you let them hurt you, I'll come back. I'll kill them all,' I teared up; when Carhart joked that Emilio wanted to hug Boyd, but didn't quite know how to ask - the surprise and relief of Boyd's firm hug to Emilio, with the whisper against his shoulder, 'I'm glad you were a creepy stalker in Monterrey. It means I got to meet you.' Everything that led up to this final moment - was so very worth it. 🥰🥰
The vast cast of characters have grown and they have grown on me. 'They were all there. Carhart, Ryan, Owen, Jeffrey, Kassian, Harriet. Seong and Katsaros at the head of the table. Vivienne next to them. Their playful interactions, their biting jibes, their scintillating banter, their bond of connecting on the battlefield and off has been a joy to read. They became a family - a unit - united they stand, divided they fall, and when they were called to action, each of them rose to the occasion. No character was a waste of screen time, each had their moment to shine - to have a purpose and play a part. It was as if I was saying goodbye to a cast of characters on a TV show that had invited me into their weekly moments only realizing that I was at its series finale. I'm going to miss them.
“But that was the way it went anytime a person was on the precipice of change. The fear of the future mixed with the loss of the past. At those times, all a person could do was step forward.�
I can only imagine that if this series had been properly edited - what a gem of a read it would be. But, perhaps there is some beauty to it not being edited that makes it all the more special; that it's that inherent flaw that is overlooked for how much it engrosses you with everything else. The writers did such an excellent job of bringing forth plot lines from the first book, shedding light on them, how so many things had been set in motion for so long - only for it finally to come to a head - everything to unravel simply because they had had enough.
That you know the faults and errors exist, but the extraneous writing actually makes for an even more entertaining ride. 👏🏻👏🏻 'The Agency was a horrible place full of sociopaths who believed that lying and manipulating people was okay as long as there was a greater good'. Lines were crossed, sides were chosen, and everyone banded together to make a stand and I was on the sidelines cheering for their victory. It's the adrenaline rush that I will remember - chasing after a feeling of knowing it's about to end, but making the most of it, as much as I can.
I really felt the entire range of emotions with this final chapter; there was never a dull moment, not a morsel of boredom or a lull in the plot that would deter me from completing it. It's a special series, certainly not without its faults, but the reading experience is something I will treasure forever - one I will look back on with very much fondness in the years to come. 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
October 1, 2016
All of those stars in the sky. All of those.
I can't believe its the end.
I'm a little mess here. I didn't want it to end. And I fucking hate it when it's time to finally say goodbye. It's just a bit heavy in the chest you know? Being attached, protective, caring and in love with the characters and all that shit. And yet.. At the end of it all, you still have to say bye. Sigh.
Sorry, I'm pathetic I know, it's embarrassing. But whatever. ='(
***
How do you describe a book this good? I can't think of any way. I can only speak of my experience..
So here goes..
This has put me into some kind of intense pain. That kind when you have to just sit down, close your eyes and try to practice deep breathing..
I can't believe how at point, how meticulous and how successful the writing of this is.. It definitely has the most accurate and saddest scenes to be ever written in a book. It just painted the pain vividly and you can't help but feel the devastating hollowness the characters are going through. I still could feel it even now when I think about it. It's really a glorious, beautiful sadness that could bring tears.
Now I don't wanna scare people who haven't read it yet. But believe me, it's totally, totally worth it. You wouldn't wanna miss the most accurate written form of the emotion when you lose someone that important. (my own opinion 'course.)
That moment in the beach? Watching the sunset, Boyd sitting down far from Sin. It just really breaks me. I dont know why.. But it pictured soo much. How much Boyd cared for the guy, how in love he was.. That he was ready to do whatever it is to make Sin happy. Even at his expense, even if it hurts him. I can't believe he's the same guy I hated so much in book 2.
Then the boat ride watching the dark sky full of stars. Them holding each other as they make their way to freedom, thinking of the first time they met 6 years ago. I swear I had to play the song "Wait" by M83 while reading that scene. And the effect was surreal. Had me closing to tears.
This - obvious to my updates - have earned from me unquantifiable amount of "Oh My God!!" "Holy sheesh." "What the freak?!" "What the hell?!" "Foooking animal!" And many more sick expressions in my language. LOL! The twists and turns of the plot are just purely genius. This series has seriously mastered the art of flooring me. One moment things are fine, easy and steady.. The next I'm being swirled, caught by a damn tornado. It was insane.
It made me love even the side characters so much. That I wanna scream when bad things would happen to them. But also made me laugh at little funny things they say or do. I want them all to have their own books!!! Especially Emilio and Carhart.
All this time I thought I love Sin more than Boyd.. But Boyd, have completely, truly managed to change that. Now I love them equally. And unsurprisingly, they are now in the same ranks of my most favorite couples: Ty&Zane, Dan&Vadim, Boyd&Sin.
I know how vague this review is.. But this is that kind of book where you just have to go in blind and let it surprise you. It just worked best for me that way. Plus, im a bit of a mess with the series coming to an end, so vague is really what you gonna get.
I know too.. That no matter how much I blab in here, I wouldn't be able to give a justified review to this great, great book.
Of course I also know that this is getting long. So I have to cut it short now and get on to the anthology.
It really makes me deeply sad that I'm only a short book away to really saying goodbye to this wonderful characters. But well.. Sigh. I shouldn't have let myself get too attached.. But that's impossible. They are among the most tragic, flawed, beautiful characters I've ever had the chance to read..
***
Anyway, these are my soundtrack for this one hell of an epic book:
"To Build A Home" by Cinematic Orchestra
"Wait" by M83
"Sedated" by Hozier
"Dont You Remember" by Adele
"Cavalier" by James Vincent McMorrow
I can't believe its the end.
I'm a little mess here. I didn't want it to end. And I fucking hate it when it's time to finally say goodbye. It's just a bit heavy in the chest you know? Being attached, protective, caring and in love with the characters and all that shit. And yet.. At the end of it all, you still have to say bye. Sigh.
Sorry, I'm pathetic I know, it's embarrassing. But whatever. ='(
***
How do you describe a book this good? I can't think of any way. I can only speak of my experience..
So here goes..
This has put me into some kind of intense pain. That kind when you have to just sit down, close your eyes and try to practice deep breathing..
I can't believe how at point, how meticulous and how successful the writing of this is.. It definitely has the most accurate and saddest scenes to be ever written in a book. It just painted the pain vividly and you can't help but feel the devastating hollowness the characters are going through. I still could feel it even now when I think about it. It's really a glorious, beautiful sadness that could bring tears.
Now I don't wanna scare people who haven't read it yet. But believe me, it's totally, totally worth it. You wouldn't wanna miss the most accurate written form of the emotion when you lose someone that important. (my own opinion 'course.)
That moment in the beach? Watching the sunset, Boyd sitting down far from Sin. It just really breaks me. I dont know why.. But it pictured soo much. How much Boyd cared for the guy, how in love he was.. That he was ready to do whatever it is to make Sin happy. Even at his expense, even if it hurts him. I can't believe he's the same guy I hated so much in book 2.
Then the boat ride watching the dark sky full of stars. Them holding each other as they make their way to freedom, thinking of the first time they met 6 years ago. I swear I had to play the song "Wait" by M83 while reading that scene. And the effect was surreal. Had me closing to tears.
This - obvious to my updates - have earned from me unquantifiable amount of "Oh My God!!" "Holy sheesh." "What the freak?!" "What the hell?!" "Foooking animal!" And many more sick expressions in my language. LOL! The twists and turns of the plot are just purely genius. This series has seriously mastered the art of flooring me. One moment things are fine, easy and steady.. The next I'm being swirled, caught by a damn tornado. It was insane.
It made me love even the side characters so much. That I wanna scream when bad things would happen to them. But also made me laugh at little funny things they say or do. I want them all to have their own books!!! Especially Emilio and Carhart.
All this time I thought I love Sin more than Boyd.. But Boyd, have completely, truly managed to change that. Now I love them equally. And unsurprisingly, they are now in the same ranks of my most favorite couples: Ty&Zane, Dan&Vadim, Boyd&Sin.
I know how vague this review is.. But this is that kind of book where you just have to go in blind and let it surprise you. It just worked best for me that way. Plus, im a bit of a mess with the series coming to an end, so vague is really what you gonna get.
I know too.. That no matter how much I blab in here, I wouldn't be able to give a justified review to this great, great book.
Of course I also know that this is getting long. So I have to cut it short now and get on to the anthology.
It really makes me deeply sad that I'm only a short book away to really saying goodbye to this wonderful characters. But well.. Sigh. I shouldn't have let myself get too attached.. But that's impossible. They are among the most tragic, flawed, beautiful characters I've ever had the chance to read..
***
Anyway, these are my soundtrack for this one hell of an epic book:
"To Build A Home" by Cinematic Orchestra
"Wait" by M83
"Sedated" by Hozier
"Dont You Remember" by Adele
"Cavalier" by James Vincent McMorrow
Read
March 13, 2018Rating removed because of this:
Ais you rock!
Original review:
I've been so immersed in this epic story, so... living their lives in this futuristic post apocalyptic reality that now that it has ended, I feel empty. With that distressful feeling you have every time you end something you know you won't forget. Characters that keep coming to your mind, unforgettable quotes burning your brain and so many feels all around...*sighs loudly while trying not to cry*
Before I start with my rambling and promising to keep it short and as spoiler free as I can manage, I have something to say.
Both authors (BOTH) did an amazing job creating this sci-fi universe full of awesome and so-worked little things. The characters (and I'm not referring just to my Hsin and Boyd. All of them) are deep and incredibly detailed. I know I've said it before but ICoS is a masterpiece. Imperfect and uneditedbut a masterpiece after all.
This is a work that deserves recognition and to be more known. The world building is delightful but the writing too and so loaded with emotion, humor and depth.
Santino is pretty known now and I've enjoyed his other books (although I've been told I have the best of them pending) but I can't compare any of the books I've read with this one. With Hsin. With this love story. With the secondary characters.)
So kudos to Santino for his collaboration creating this marvelous series and a special and personal message to Ais: you are the shit, girl! As simple as that. What a skilled writer you are and what a beautiful character you've created. Boyd is deep, complex, brave and his is one of the most astonishing evolutions ever. Amazing job. He supports the first 20% of this book without any help and he drives the rest as the champ he is. Fade is undoubtedly his book. There is too much work behind this blondie and this is something that must be said.
And now, with that out of my system, I'll just say, this book is 1214 pages of wonderfulness. The best book in the seriesIMO, the book I've been needing since I read Afterimage and I was bored and a bit depressed. The interludes worked wonderfully but this one? Just wow.
The beginning of Fade is rough tough. It goes direct to the suffering. You can feel Boyd's loneliness, his angst, the complete emptiness he is feeling. Pure devastation and so, so well written that you can almost touch the cold, the edge of desperation. The way it cuts.
"Color fading from the world like a watercolor painting left out in the rain"
The way Fade is told is heaven, being Boyd the real star shining through his overwhelming feelings but, at the same time, not shadowing the rest of the story and characters. He is the indiscutible pillar herebut we also have a good mystery going on and terrific secondary stories conducting and linking the main plot.
I won't give away anything about the plot. I'll just say the precarious freedom the characters have live in from the beginning has its culmination in this book. In Fade the show is live. Santino & Ais transmit magnificently the claustrophobic situation our guys are in, the false freedom the agency gives them under the constant menace of termination. They have to obey or they are dead. And now the ones who keep breathing are simply trying to survive and deal with the situation the best they can. Keeping secrets, hiding, carving out weird alliances and friendships.
"Freedom is not worth it without him"
Kassian, Ryan, Zach... I can't even... so I'm not doing it. I think you get the idea of what my feelings are so I'll leave you alone with just a slight overview of my thoughts (if I enter full your are dead, believe me. The gates are open and my emotions are all over the place because I really loved Fade and the way is told)
If you want a complete and intense reading experience, look no more. This is it. Of course, it's not an easy ride. Far from it. ICoS is long at times (sooooo long, especially Afterimage) boring in some parts (except book one, the rest are unedited so you could find some scenes a bit too much, tedious even. Doesn't happen in Fade though, or not to me at least) but the journey deserves all the stars, all the praising and all the suffering they put you through because at the end all of it is worthwhile.
But It's not just the intense love story between Hsin and Boyd what made me fall hard for Fade, it's the huge amount of complex and attractive characters, the deep and well-done dialogues, the amazing background, the main plot, the secondary ones joining and converging to create a perfect resolution. Theatmosphere, the way the feelings are shown and not just told... *sighs loudly* my emotions were out playing, kicking, shouting, crying and praying for a containment even if they didn't want for the awesomeness to stop *sighs again because explaining the whole thing is impossible*
So, a highly recommend series with a more than awesome ending where the love story is kinda a reboot where you can breath a super intense love story that knows very little frontiers.
Read it! Read the whole series when you have time and you won't regret it. This story is gonna be with you, near you, following and haunting you for a long long time.
And it's free so you have no excuse. I even leave you here the link to download it:
Ais you rock!
Original review:
I've been so immersed in this epic story, so... living their lives in this futuristic post apocalyptic reality that now that it has ended, I feel empty. With that distressful feeling you have every time you end something you know you won't forget. Characters that keep coming to your mind, unforgettable quotes burning your brain and so many feels all around...*sighs loudly while trying not to cry*
Before I start with my rambling and promising to keep it short and as spoiler free as I can manage, I have something to say.
Both authors (BOTH) did an amazing job creating this sci-fi universe full of awesome and so-worked little things. The characters (and I'm not referring just to my Hsin and Boyd. All of them) are deep and incredibly detailed. I know I've said it before but ICoS is a masterpiece. Imperfect and uneditedbut a masterpiece after all.
This is a work that deserves recognition and to be more known. The world building is delightful but the writing too and so loaded with emotion, humor and depth.
Santino is pretty known now and I've enjoyed his other books (although I've been told I have the best of them pending) but I can't compare any of the books I've read with this one. With Hsin. With this love story. With the secondary characters.)
So kudos to Santino for his collaboration creating this marvelous series and a special and personal message to Ais: you are the shit, girl! As simple as that. What a skilled writer you are and what a beautiful character you've created. Boyd is deep, complex, brave and his is one of the most astonishing evolutions ever. Amazing job. He supports the first 20% of this book without any help and he drives the rest as the champ he is. Fade is undoubtedly his book. There is too much work behind this blondie and this is something that must be said.
And now, with that out of my system, I'll just say, this book is 1214 pages of wonderfulness. The best book in the seriesIMO, the book I've been needing since I read Afterimage and I was bored and a bit depressed. The interludes worked wonderfully but this one? Just wow.
The beginning of Fade is rough tough. It goes direct to the suffering. You can feel Boyd's loneliness, his angst, the complete emptiness he is feeling. Pure devastation and so, so well written that you can almost touch the cold, the edge of desperation. The way it cuts.
"Color fading from the world like a watercolor painting left out in the rain"
The way Fade is told is heaven, being Boyd the real star shining through his overwhelming feelings but, at the same time, not shadowing the rest of the story and characters. He is the indiscutible pillar herebut we also have a good mystery going on and terrific secondary stories conducting and linking the main plot.
I won't give away anything about the plot. I'll just say the precarious freedom the characters have live in from the beginning has its culmination in this book. In Fade the show is live. Santino & Ais transmit magnificently the claustrophobic situation our guys are in, the false freedom the agency gives them under the constant menace of termination. They have to obey or they are dead. And now the ones who keep breathing are simply trying to survive and deal with the situation the best they can. Keeping secrets, hiding, carving out weird alliances and friendships.
"Freedom is not worth it without him"
Kassian, Ryan, Zach... I can't even... so I'm not doing it. I think you get the idea of what my feelings are so I'll leave you alone with just a slight overview of my thoughts (if I enter full your are dead, believe me. The gates are open and my emotions are all over the place because I really loved Fade and the way is told)
If you want a complete and intense reading experience, look no more. This is it. Of course, it's not an easy ride. Far from it. ICoS is long at times (sooooo long, especially Afterimage) boring in some parts (except book one, the rest are unedited so you could find some scenes a bit too much, tedious even. Doesn't happen in Fade though, or not to me at least) but the journey deserves all the stars, all the praising and all the suffering they put you through because at the end all of it is worthwhile.
But It's not just the intense love story between Hsin and Boyd what made me fall hard for Fade, it's the huge amount of complex and attractive characters, the deep and well-done dialogues, the amazing background, the main plot, the secondary ones joining and converging to create a perfect resolution. Theatmosphere, the way the feelings are shown and not just told... *sighs loudly* my emotions were out playing, kicking, shouting, crying and praying for a containment even if they didn't want for the awesomeness to stop *sighs again because explaining the whole thing is impossible*
So, a highly recommend series with a more than awesome ending where the love story is kinda a reboot where you can breath a super intense love story that knows very little frontiers.
Read it! Read the whole series when you have time and you won't regret it. This story is gonna be with you, near you, following and haunting you for a long long time.
And it's free so you have no excuse. I even leave you here the link to download it:
March 31, 2013
This book is completely devastating. It’s incredibly written as always, but it will tear you apart inside. For about the first 30%, I was very confused and was struggling to understand just what the hell had happened in the year that Boyd was away.
Sin and Boyd had been so happy together but it seemed that this mission would finally be the last straw, the one thing that would have torn them apart, for good!
I have enjoyed this series more than I could have ever hoped, but I have to be honest, this wasn't my favourite book at all. I have given this book the least stars in the series because I was so frustrated throughout most of it. It's nothing against the book itself, but anyone who knows me at all will know that I cannot stand memory loss stories, in any way, shape or form. I hate it. I was so disappointed when I realised that that's what was happening here. I then spent a huge part of the book being pretty annoyed. I wanted the memory loss story to be over, for things to get back on track where they were before. Seeing things this way just frustrated the hell out of me. I have never spent so long in a book, waiting for things to get better, to get the answers that we needed. I was so fed up of all the questions churning around in my head :(
* Spoilers Ahead
The twists and turns of the story were really great. I was so damn shocked by everything the Agency and the Reapers had done to Sin over the years. Everything was clicking so perfectly into place. Also, learning about the past and what really happened to Boyd's father, it was all so intriguing.
Boyd was wonderful in this book. His fortitude just made me love him even more. I admired just how well he dealt with everything and how strong he was. How he made some very hard decisions, to help others.
Boyd and Sin and just as enthralling as they've always been, they have proved time and time again that they belong together and this book just cemented that fact. There is nothing in the world that could keep them apart.
'"I love you, Hsin," he said hoarsely. "I missed you so much."
"I love you, too." Sin's voice was still think and husky. "I came back for you. Because I wanted to find you, because I wanted to remember you."
Boyd let out a shuddering breath and hugged Sin harder.'
Emilio completely stole my heart (yes, even more than he had already) in this book. I just adore him. I think he will always be one of my all-time favourite characters.
I loved seeing all of his friendships develop more. Seeing him realise just how many people actually care about him and would be there for him when he needed them. I lost count of how many times he made me laugh, or something he said made me cry. He's just a truly incredible character.
"I know you and blondie like to go all Joan of fucking Arc any chance you get, but let's rewind this shit a few weeks and break it down again before you decide all bets are off."
LOL
The relationship between Boyd and Emilio was solidified in this book. I think going through such a traumatic time together really helped them bond.
Emilio and Zach were one of the true highlights of the entire book. I was desperate to see more, to harm or about their past and for them to finally work things out and be together. I liked that he never made it easy for Zach. After everything they've been through and just how much Emilio craves him, he still made Zach work his arse off until he would give him a chance. Rightly so I think. Zach has (although unintentionally) treated Emilio like dirt over the years and so I am glad he had to prove himself first.
Seeing them finally get together was just amazing, they completely took my breath away, and not always in a good way. They are dark; they're dangerous and explosive, but it was the tiny little glimpses of tenderness and affection that made me love them even more�
"All I know," he said finally, evenly. "Is that you mean a lot to me. And no matter how many fucked up things you do, I keep coming back for more. So that must mean I care for you a lot."
Emilio snickered. "Well damn, don't get all mushy on me now. A simple 'You're my moon and stars, Emilio' would have sufficed."
This one was also really sweet�
'"You ain't gonna try and hug me now, are you?"
"No, but I did want to kiss you." Carhart lifted his hand and wrapped it around one of Emilio's hard, tattooed shoulders. "Is that okay, or is it too mushy for you?"
Emilio finally cracked a smile, and he reached down to grasp one of the loops in Carhart’s jeans. He gave a tug, and pulled the general back towards the bed.''
This unfortunately brings me to another caomplaint of mine. I really didn't like the way things were left between them at the end. We left them in a life or death situation and never went back again. We were given tiny little hints as to what might have happened to them, or where they might be. But that wasn't enough for me, personally. I felt like their story just stopped mid-flow. There was no real ending or any kind of closure at all :(
Vivienne is, and will always be a monster. Even finally hearing the reasons for why she acts the way she does, I still didn't feel sorry for her at all. She’s a despicable human being.
Owen, Ryan, Kassian and the rest of the gang were great. I loved seeing them all again and they provided some seriously good laughs, especially the interactions between Owen, Boyd and Emilio.
"Oh," Owen perked up. "I'm glad you asked, Sir Sal. Maybe I'll make that your codename on this heist, by the way. You can be Sal, Emilio can be Crabs, and I'll be watchman. What do you think?"
"I'm too pretty to have STD's."
Hahahaha.
I honestly wanted to cry when I finished this book, knowing it was likely things would never go any further. I felt like after everything we’ve been through with these characters, that the ending just didn't do them all justice.
Everything I had expected to happen didn't. All of my hopes and dreams for them just didn't come true. And an offer from a creepy Agency guy really left me on edge. I didn’t like his offer at all. I just wanted Sin and Boyd to happy!
But I still have so many questions I want answered. I just feel a little� sad, knowing that I will probably never get those answers.
*Huge thanks to Giorgia and Em. For reading every single book together. It wouldn't have been the same without you.*
Sin and Boyd had been so happy together but it seemed that this mission would finally be the last straw, the one thing that would have torn them apart, for good!
I have enjoyed this series more than I could have ever hoped, but I have to be honest, this wasn't my favourite book at all. I have given this book the least stars in the series because I was so frustrated throughout most of it. It's nothing against the book itself, but anyone who knows me at all will know that I cannot stand memory loss stories, in any way, shape or form. I hate it. I was so disappointed when I realised that that's what was happening here. I then spent a huge part of the book being pretty annoyed. I wanted the memory loss story to be over, for things to get back on track where they were before. Seeing things this way just frustrated the hell out of me. I have never spent so long in a book, waiting for things to get better, to get the answers that we needed. I was so fed up of all the questions churning around in my head :(
* Spoilers Ahead
The twists and turns of the story were really great. I was so damn shocked by everything the Agency and the Reapers had done to Sin over the years. Everything was clicking so perfectly into place. Also, learning about the past and what really happened to Boyd's father, it was all so intriguing.
Boyd was wonderful in this book. His fortitude just made me love him even more. I admired just how well he dealt with everything and how strong he was. How he made some very hard decisions, to help others.
Boyd and Sin and just as enthralling as they've always been, they have proved time and time again that they belong together and this book just cemented that fact. There is nothing in the world that could keep them apart.
'"I love you, Hsin," he said hoarsely. "I missed you so much."
"I love you, too." Sin's voice was still think and husky. "I came back for you. Because I wanted to find you, because I wanted to remember you."
Boyd let out a shuddering breath and hugged Sin harder.'
Emilio completely stole my heart (yes, even more than he had already) in this book. I just adore him. I think he will always be one of my all-time favourite characters.
I loved seeing all of his friendships develop more. Seeing him realise just how many people actually care about him and would be there for him when he needed them. I lost count of how many times he made me laugh, or something he said made me cry. He's just a truly incredible character.
"I know you and blondie like to go all Joan of fucking Arc any chance you get, but let's rewind this shit a few weeks and break it down again before you decide all bets are off."
LOL
The relationship between Boyd and Emilio was solidified in this book. I think going through such a traumatic time together really helped them bond.
Emilio and Zach were one of the true highlights of the entire book. I was desperate to see more, to harm or about their past and for them to finally work things out and be together. I liked that he never made it easy for Zach. After everything they've been through and just how much Emilio craves him, he still made Zach work his arse off until he would give him a chance. Rightly so I think. Zach has (although unintentionally) treated Emilio like dirt over the years and so I am glad he had to prove himself first.
Seeing them finally get together was just amazing, they completely took my breath away, and not always in a good way. They are dark; they're dangerous and explosive, but it was the tiny little glimpses of tenderness and affection that made me love them even more�
"All I know," he said finally, evenly. "Is that you mean a lot to me. And no matter how many fucked up things you do, I keep coming back for more. So that must mean I care for you a lot."
Emilio snickered. "Well damn, don't get all mushy on me now. A simple 'You're my moon and stars, Emilio' would have sufficed."
This one was also really sweet�
'"You ain't gonna try and hug me now, are you?"
"No, but I did want to kiss you." Carhart lifted his hand and wrapped it around one of Emilio's hard, tattooed shoulders. "Is that okay, or is it too mushy for you?"
Emilio finally cracked a smile, and he reached down to grasp one of the loops in Carhart’s jeans. He gave a tug, and pulled the general back towards the bed.''
This unfortunately brings me to another caomplaint of mine. I really didn't like the way things were left between them at the end. We left them in a life or death situation and never went back again. We were given tiny little hints as to what might have happened to them, or where they might be. But that wasn't enough for me, personally. I felt like their story just stopped mid-flow. There was no real ending or any kind of closure at all :(
Vivienne is, and will always be a monster. Even finally hearing the reasons for why she acts the way she does, I still didn't feel sorry for her at all. She’s a despicable human being.
Owen, Ryan, Kassian and the rest of the gang were great. I loved seeing them all again and they provided some seriously good laughs, especially the interactions between Owen, Boyd and Emilio.
"Oh," Owen perked up. "I'm glad you asked, Sir Sal. Maybe I'll make that your codename on this heist, by the way. You can be Sal, Emilio can be Crabs, and I'll be watchman. What do you think?"
"I'm too pretty to have STD's."
Hahahaha.
I honestly wanted to cry when I finished this book, knowing it was likely things would never go any further. I felt like after everything we’ve been through with these characters, that the ending just didn't do them all justice.
Everything I had expected to happen didn't. All of my hopes and dreams for them just didn't come true. And an offer from a creepy Agency guy really left me on edge. I didn’t like his offer at all. I just wanted Sin and Boyd to happy!
But I still have so many questions I want answered. I just feel a little� sad, knowing that I will probably never get those answers.
*Huge thanks to Giorgia and Em. For reading every single book together. It wouldn't have been the same without you.*
March 4, 2013
*sniffle*
I just finished. Ugh, my mind is spinning with a wide variety of thoughts and feelings. And bittersweetness prevails.
I can't believe this is the end. I can't believe this journey is over. But there it was, written in black and white italics: 'The End of In the Company of Shadows'.
*sniffle*
With the last book of the series, it's really inevitable not to incorporate the series as a whole in the rating. And that general evaluation would lead to 5 stars. Which is weird, since I didn't actually rate any of the other books 5 stars separately (4-4,5 stars). But the series as a whole was just superb, all encompassing, super engaging. Good plot, great world building, and characters you just can't seem to get out of your mind. The authors have no qualms with putting their characters through the wringer... again and again. And you're with them every agonizing step of the way. I was absorbed, squeeing, raving and right out fangirling at times. If that doesn't deserve a 5 star rating, then I don't know what does.
Fade was the last part in this iCos journey and it was a fitting goodbye. It was good, it was emotional, it was dark, frustrating, infuriating and endearing.
There are some chapters that were absolute genius. Which had me cry my heart out, on the edge of my seat, and laughing out loud. Especially Boyd's homecoming had a profound effect on me.
Other than that, it was so good to see the old dynamics in the relationship between Sin and Boyd, and great to see new dynamics unfurling .
The ending was everything you'd expect and more. Pretty much all story lines were tied and everything came to blows, and it was chaos and madness and beautiful.
The epilogue was SUPERB! I have a dislike for epilogues since some authors tend to sap out in them, but this was the exact opposite of everything I hate in an epilogue. No perfect endings and pretty bows, but cautious happiness tempered by ambivalence, uneasiness and lingering doubts. And then: new opportunities but nothing being finalized.
It was a perfect point to stop, but it still leaves you wanting more (and more and more).
This all being said, Fade wasn't my favorite book in the series. It felt less balanced than previous books, and there was a lot of telling rather than showing. This lead to some 'paraphrasing for the readers' sake' instances, and some events lacking build up or coming out of left field. Not typical for iCos. Another atypicality: some characters lacking depth or nuance (the new Marshall and Jordan as main examples).
So yeah, was it perfect? No. Was it engaging? Hell yes! Will I miss this world, these characters? Oh yeah.
Fade was a great ending to a superb series and journey, and I feel happy to have experienced it till the very end.
But I am so sad to say goodbye.
A big shout out to Marleen and Kate, the super enablers.
I just finished. Ugh, my mind is spinning with a wide variety of thoughts and feelings. And bittersweetness prevails.
I can't believe this is the end. I can't believe this journey is over. But there it was, written in black and white italics: 'The End of In the Company of Shadows'.
*sniffle*
With the last book of the series, it's really inevitable not to incorporate the series as a whole in the rating. And that general evaluation would lead to 5 stars. Which is weird, since I didn't actually rate any of the other books 5 stars separately (4-4,5 stars). But the series as a whole was just superb, all encompassing, super engaging. Good plot, great world building, and characters you just can't seem to get out of your mind. The authors have no qualms with putting their characters through the wringer... again and again. And you're with them every agonizing step of the way. I was absorbed, squeeing, raving and right out fangirling at times. If that doesn't deserve a 5 star rating, then I don't know what does.
Fade was the last part in this iCos journey and it was a fitting goodbye. It was good, it was emotional, it was dark, frustrating, infuriating and endearing.
There are some chapters that were absolute genius. Which had me cry my heart out, on the edge of my seat, and laughing out loud. Especially Boyd's homecoming had a profound effect on me.
Other than that, it was so good to see the old dynamics in the relationship between Sin and Boyd, and great to see new dynamics unfurling .
The ending was everything you'd expect and more. Pretty much all story lines were tied and everything came to blows, and it was chaos and madness and beautiful.
The epilogue was SUPERB! I have a dislike for epilogues since some authors tend to sap out in them, but this was the exact opposite of everything I hate in an epilogue. No perfect endings and pretty bows, but cautious happiness tempered by ambivalence, uneasiness and lingering doubts. And then: new opportunities but nothing being finalized.
It was a perfect point to stop, but it still leaves you wanting more (and more and more).
This all being said, Fade wasn't my favorite book in the series. It felt less balanced than previous books, and there was a lot of telling rather than showing. This lead to some 'paraphrasing for the readers' sake' instances, and some events lacking build up or coming out of left field. Not typical for iCos. Another atypicality: some characters lacking depth or nuance (the new Marshall and Jordan as main examples).
So yeah, was it perfect? No. Was it engaging? Hell yes! Will I miss this world, these characters? Oh yeah.
Fade was a great ending to a superb series and journey, and I feel happy to have experienced it till the very end.
But I am so sad to say goodbye.
A big shout out to Marleen and Kate, the super enablers.
August 11, 2015
I NEED MORE STARS!
Fade is absolutely the BEST book of the series!
And one of the BEST books I have ever read!
Everything was perfect: the plot, the main characters and the side characters�
I completely fell in love with them over and over again.
Hsin
Boyd
The book was a complete roller-coaster. I felt...
Pain...
Hopelessness...
Devotion...
Sacrifice...
Love...
Passion...
And REALLY amazing fireworks...
Hsin & Boyd are epic and forever!
Fade is absolutely the BEST book of the series!
And one of the BEST books I have ever read!
Everything was perfect: the plot, the main characters and the side characters�
I completely fell in love with them over and over again.
Hsin
Boyd
The book was a complete roller-coaster. I felt...
Pain...
Hopelessness...
Devotion...
Sacrifice...
Love...
Passion...
And REALLY amazing fireworks...
Hsin & Boyd are epic and forever!
Read
March 13, 2018Review Removed.
/user_status...
Just so we're clear, Ais is innocent in all this.
/user_status...
Just so we're clear, Ais is innocent in all this.
April 26, 2013
***SPOILERS AHEAD***
”Lately it felt like every truth he ever thought he knew kept turning out to be a lie.�
What we want or need to believe and what’s true often get so twisted up and turned around. But Fade takes it to a whole new level. The intensity level is turned way up for the last installment of the In the Company of Shadows series. Despair, longing, action, humor, and suspense bring Fade to life in vivid pain and passion. The twists & turns, shocks, and connections will keep you on the edge of your seat, jumping, muttering, and guessing until the end! So come on…let’s do this!
This is the hardest review I’ve ever had to write. There is no way to express my love for this story without saying certain things. So please if you plan to read this series—turn back now.
Fade pretty much kicked my ass! Pain, sobs, and heartache ripped my heart to shreds. Pain I could feel bone deep. Words and emotions that hit home, latched on, and curled around my heart and soul. I found it hard to breath at times, choking on my tears, trying so hard to keep them in as Boyd broke my heart. Wait! Scratch that. Tore my heart out with a spoon! The loss, grief, and pain were palpable on the page. Depression so thick at times I could feel it tugging me down.
”It was getting harder to breathe evenly and he recognized the deeply gouging sorrow that was ready to engulf him. That-too familiar pain and hopelessness that would surely become as equal a master of his life as the Agency was.�
Beautiful, heart breaking words caught Boyd’s tears, longing, disbelief, shock, and desperation on the page. As he clung and curled up to his memories and ghosts of the past—all I wanted to do was hug him and never let go!
Then�.BOOM! The world came to a full stop. Wait. Let me breathe here�*inhale, exhale*. There were actually several moments in Fade that I felt like my heart and world skidded to a halt. Powerful gut punches of action and emotions that blew me away! Everything began to take shape and connect. The secrets, revelations, and conspiracy all came to a head with such shock and suspense I couldn’t click fast enough.
The connections! Pieces began to snap into place. Emotions and experiences from way back in book one played a part here. Dejavues and echoes of past experiences ripped through the action bringing all four books together in one powerful punch! Drawings capturing a time in the first book helped jog memories here; journals helped unlock long ago secrets; kisses and blood kicked lust and hunger alive again; and LOVE held on and survived no matter how hard someone tried to wipe it all away. And I don’t mean these scenes or words just reminded me of other times—they fucking pulled me right back to those moments with force. I could feel it all over again! Pure brilliance! The writing and planning truly brought me to my knees in this book. I have never experienced such a powerful all-encompassing finale before. The whole series came full circle in so many ways. The power and impact of all four books hit me like a fucking brick wall. Hit me full force! It’s stunning really. As Boyd slid into a diner booth here in Fade, my head and heart couldn’t help but experience another late night diner experience filled with questions, flirting, and fun. I could feel the tension again—see those long fingers stir his sweet, thick shake. *sigh*
Anyway…I know I’m rambling. I could go on and on. But truth be told—I’m exhausted. This journey has been a privilege to experience, but damn I feel gutted at the moment. There is a hole in my gut right now that I can’t seem to fill. I can’t believe it’s over. I’m in shock.
Thank you, Sonny and Ais. *bows head in awe*
The Ending
My Viv
Carhart
Zach, Zach, Zach! You frustrated the hell out of me in this one!
Favorite line: ”Are you sure you aren’t a porn star?� :D
Ryan
This is a TRUE spoiler. Do not click if you plan to read this series.
Boyd & Hsin
So that’s it. The end.
Fingers crossed we get lots more from all of these characters someday. I miss the energy and camaraderie already.
Thanks to the whole ICoS gang for holding my hand through this journey.
I never would have made it alone.
Read
March 9, 2018Rating removed!
M.I.N.D.-B.L.O.W.I.N.G.
This...
Boyd didn't protest when their fingers locked, and Sin tugged him out of the room. They disappeared into the shadows, walking away from the unceasing narration that droned during the program, and away from the journalists who had helped them to finish it all.
Soon, their boots were crunching on the snow outside. Soon, breath ghosted out into the cold air, and Sin led Boyd away from the property.
Their hands clasped again, and this time neither let go.
...is exactly what kept me from turning into a total wreck: the fact, that Sin and Boyd are finally together. For good.
Fade began with a stab right into the heart and from this moment on, it was an emotional ride I won't forget so easily. Not by a long shot.
The previous book ended with a sort of a cliffhanger, but the beginning of Fade didn't make it any easier. It didn't solve anything. In the contrary, a multitude of new obscurities came up.
Did this book make me laugh?
Yes. Surprisingly often.
“Did we ever have a threesome?�
Kassian nearly choked on the coffee he'd just swallowed, and spit it back into the cup. He coughed violently, wincing and set it down on the counter. After he was finished embarrassing himself thoroughly, he shot Sin an incredulous stare.
“I'm sorry, WHAT?�
“I told you I had strange dreams a lot, and most of them seem to be actual memories. So I was wondering if that one was.�
“You had a dream that we had a threesome?�
“Yeah. We were--� Sin stopped, and shook his head. “Well, you don't need to know the details.�
“Maybe I want to know them.�
“That's why you don't need to know them.� The look Sin shot Kassian wasn't exactly warning, but it was getting there. “I was asking, not inviting you to have one.�
Did this book make me want to scream and strangle certain characters because of their cold and cruel behavior?
Definitely yes.
Her eyebrows lowered, darkening her eyes. “All times when your termination could have, did, or should have come up... and was avoided, miraculously, as if some god shone on you. Do you know what that tells me?� She leaned forward and didn't wait for him to answer before she continued flatly, “It tells me you're a liability.�
Did this book make me cry?
Yes, yes and once again... yes. More often than I can count.
"Boyd. You should rest."
"I can't. I'll--" I'll lay down and I'll think of him. I'll close my eyes and dream of him. I'll convince myself he's still here. I'll wake up and every time, every time I'm alone and the bed is cold and I remember I'm all on my own now it'll rip me apart--
Sin and Boyd had to go through so much, it was impossible not to take part and feel their pain, their loss, their hopelessness and the urgent need to protect the one they love.
Do I want to leave their world?
No. Absolutely not!
There's twists and turns you never would have expected. One minute you'd think everything is fine and next thing you knew, the shit had already hit the fan. And even if the whole story culminated in a showdown which has no equal, there are still so many open questions, I desperately hope to find the answers to in the following anthology.
M.I.N.D.-B.L.O.W.I.N.G.
This...
Boyd didn't protest when their fingers locked, and Sin tugged him out of the room. They disappeared into the shadows, walking away from the unceasing narration that droned during the program, and away from the journalists who had helped them to finish it all.
Soon, their boots were crunching on the snow outside. Soon, breath ghosted out into the cold air, and Sin led Boyd away from the property.
Their hands clasped again, and this time neither let go.
...is exactly what kept me from turning into a total wreck: the fact, that Sin and Boyd are finally together. For good.
Fade began with a stab right into the heart and from this moment on, it was an emotional ride I won't forget so easily. Not by a long shot.
The previous book ended with a sort of a cliffhanger, but the beginning of Fade didn't make it any easier. It didn't solve anything. In the contrary, a multitude of new obscurities came up.
Did this book make me laugh?
Yes. Surprisingly often.
“Did we ever have a threesome?�
Kassian nearly choked on the coffee he'd just swallowed, and spit it back into the cup. He coughed violently, wincing and set it down on the counter. After he was finished embarrassing himself thoroughly, he shot Sin an incredulous stare.
“I'm sorry, WHAT?�
“I told you I had strange dreams a lot, and most of them seem to be actual memories. So I was wondering if that one was.�
“You had a dream that we had a threesome?�
“Yeah. We were--� Sin stopped, and shook his head. “Well, you don't need to know the details.�
“Maybe I want to know them.�
“That's why you don't need to know them.� The look Sin shot Kassian wasn't exactly warning, but it was getting there. “I was asking, not inviting you to have one.�
Did this book make me want to scream and strangle certain characters because of their cold and cruel behavior?
Definitely yes.
Her eyebrows lowered, darkening her eyes. “All times when your termination could have, did, or should have come up... and was avoided, miraculously, as if some god shone on you. Do you know what that tells me?� She leaned forward and didn't wait for him to answer before she continued flatly, “It tells me you're a liability.�
Did this book make me cry?
Yes, yes and once again... yes. More often than I can count.
"Boyd. You should rest."
"I can't. I'll--" I'll lay down and I'll think of him. I'll close my eyes and dream of him. I'll convince myself he's still here. I'll wake up and every time, every time I'm alone and the bed is cold and I remember I'm all on my own now it'll rip me apart--
Sin and Boyd had to go through so much, it was impossible not to take part and feel their pain, their loss, their hopelessness and the urgent need to protect the one they love.
Do I want to leave their world?
No. Absolutely not!
There's twists and turns you never would have expected. One minute you'd think everything is fine and next thing you knew, the shit had already hit the fan. And even if the whole story culminated in a showdown which has no equal, there are still so many open questions, I desperately hope to find the answers to in the following anthology.
March 2, 2013
ICoS is finished. It feels like the end of an era.
Fade is the epilogue to a rollercoaster of a journey I'll never forget. Sin and Boyd will stay with me forever.
Fade is the epilogue to a rollercoaster of a journey I'll never forget. Sin and Boyd will stay with me forever.
December 18, 2017
Goddamn it with this series. It's managed to completely destroy me and reduce me to a barely functioning human being. I'm pretty sure everyone's mad at me for completely ignoring them these past few days. I couldn't put it down. I was up till 2 am reading it. Until my eyes were so tired that I couldn't read the next paragraph.
I can't believe it's finished! I'm in shock with everything that happened. I don't even know if I'm in the best state of mind to write a review. Everything is too fresh and I just want to start weeping of sadness and happiness all at once. Though, I don't think I have more tears on me. This book left me dehydrated.
I can't even think coherently right now. All I can say this was an amazing experience. A such well-written story that touched so many aspects that left me speechless. Kudos to the authors.
It's addictive. As I said, I couldn't put it down. Many times I will wake up at 6 am to keep reading. Yes, that's the only way I can voluntarily wake up at those ungodly hours.
I mean, how cannot I be obsessed if it's full of romance, soul-shattering moments, action, suspense, comedy, hotness and of course, "OMG, I CAN'T BELIEVE THAT HAPPENED","PLEASE DON'T LET HIM BE DEAD" or "Fucking die already, bitch!" screams? All those factors create a mind-blowing story, impossible not to want to devour it.
I didn't know what to expect with Fade, but the whole series certainly ruined my life. I still can't shake the feeling of terror and heartache I had from the very beginning. This book is +10000 stars for me and I'd undergo all the pain of reading it again because it's totally worthy and who knows if I missed something the first time around?
I'm completely in love with these books and with Boyd, Hsin, Emilio, Zach, Ryan, Kassian, Owen, Harriet, and so on... ;)
I can't believe it's finished! I'm in shock with everything that happened. I don't even know if I'm in the best state of mind to write a review. Everything is too fresh and I just want to start weeping of sadness and happiness all at once. Though, I don't think I have more tears on me. This book left me dehydrated.
I can't even think coherently right now. All I can say this was an amazing experience. A such well-written story that touched so many aspects that left me speechless. Kudos to the authors.
It's addictive. As I said, I couldn't put it down. Many times I will wake up at 6 am to keep reading. Yes, that's the only way I can voluntarily wake up at those ungodly hours.
I mean, how cannot I be obsessed if it's full of romance, soul-shattering moments, action, suspense, comedy, hotness and of course, "OMG, I CAN'T BELIEVE THAT HAPPENED","PLEASE DON'T LET HIM BE DEAD" or "Fucking die already, bitch!" screams? All those factors create a mind-blowing story, impossible not to want to devour it.
I didn't know what to expect with Fade, but the whole series certainly ruined my life. I still can't shake the feeling of terror and heartache I had from the very beginning. This book is +10000 stars for me and I'd undergo all the pain of reading it again because it's totally worthy and who knows if I missed something the first time around?
I'm completely in love with these books and with Boyd, Hsin, Emilio, Zach, Ryan, Kassian, Owen, Harriet, and so on... ;)
October 21, 2016
5++ stars for the whole series : the word « epic » is often used in the reviews, well it’s well earned.
When I jumped from “The Interludes� to “Fade�, I was wondering what was going to happen. Well, I didn’t have to wait for long : it started right away.
And once again : the despair, the anguish, the longing, the questioning…oh my, and the hotness !!
I’ve been binge-reading this last part because I just had to !!!
This series is fascinating, insane, addictive, painful, heartbreaking. But oh, so much worth it. Quite an unique experience. And the ending�.a closure as well as an opening, because yes, how to let go of Hsin & Boyd, and all the others, Ryan, Zach, Emilio, Kassian, Owen,�.
Thumbs up for the authors : 3.820 pages and yet, I still want more.
HIGHLY recommended !!
When I jumped from “The Interludes� to “Fade�, I was wondering what was going to happen. Well, I didn’t have to wait for long : it started right away.
And once again : the despair, the anguish, the longing, the questioning…oh my, and the hotness !!
I’ve been binge-reading this last part because I just had to !!!
This series is fascinating, insane, addictive, painful, heartbreaking. But oh, so much worth it. Quite an unique experience. And the ending�.a closure as well as an opening, because yes, how to let go of Hsin & Boyd, and all the others, Ryan, Zach, Emilio, Kassian, Owen,�.
Thumbs up for the authors : 3.820 pages and yet, I still want more.
HIGHLY recommended !!
October 21, 2017
5 +++ stars
Two cases of wine, 3 boxes of tissues, 4 ruined fingernails, 5 bars of chocolate, 20 days, about 32 breathless ‘I can't believe it�, multiple (usually horrified) Oh No!s, and uncountable, emotionally-laden OMGs later �.. I’m finished with the series. (Oh, and there may have been the odd Wtf on the way, too.)
And what a read it’s been! Incredible. Fabulous. Spectacular. Consuming. Heart-wrenching. Oh so heart-wrenching. Poignant. Touching. Agonizing. Excruciating. Overwhelming. Steamy and sizzling HOT. So many fitting adjectives and yet, they can’t even begin to describe ICoS adequately.
‘Fade� is the crowning glory in my opinion (and hence went straight on my ‘best-of-the-best shelf), and it's my favourite for a few reasons.
.) Starting with a bang, it was fast paced, giving me hardly enough time to breathe right up to the last chapter. With turns and twists at every corner it kept me on tenterhooks every single second.
( I did use the same pics for Evenfall, but wanted to include them here at the end...I know Boyd will look more mature and built, but still - to me that's the essence of them. :) )
.) Boyd and Sin � if you thought this couldn’t get better or more heart-rending � think again. What these two have to get through just to be together � is beyond comprehension. That’s why the end is one of the most gratifying things ever! I particularly loved when they got all domestic and we saw them in some kind of NORMAL situation.
.) Emilio � God, I love this man, and who could resist that smart-ass, cheeky, gorgeous bad boy? He certainly got some of the best lines in the book.
“It’s hard being this fucking pretty.� Emilio turned to the side eyeing his profile in the mirror.�
“You named your car’s computer
But what makes him ultimately attractive in my books is his inherent vulnerability. The way he can’t say that he loves someone. The way we know he is desperate for love and affection. The way he puts on the hard-ass- don’t care-mask when he’s dying inside. The way he is such a lonely and lost soul, I just want to�.. sigh. You see what I mean.
.) The expressiveness of the writing struck me particularly in this last book. E.g Boyd’s grief and desperation at the beginning was brilliantly observed and beautifully executed over two whole chapters! I was emotionally destroyed (in the best possible way) after it. That is what excellent authors do.
Needless to mention the intensity of the sex, the intricacy of the plot or the most brilliant secondary characters! Or the sheer addiction that comes with it. Just brace yourself. � Believe me � it might be tough, but I loved all of it!
One thing though � I was left with a few niggles (I will not discuss here and now) and quite a few questions, with one worry in particular.
I’m more than grateful that ICoS was completed before I discovered it. Waiting for instalments would have killed me. And I do thank Sonny and Ais quietly for the 1/27 anthology that’s waiting for me once I’m done with this review�.
A brilliant finish to an exceptional series!
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Two cases of wine, 3 boxes of tissues, 4 ruined fingernails, 5 bars of chocolate, 20 days, about 32 breathless ‘I can't believe it�, multiple (usually horrified) Oh No!s, and uncountable, emotionally-laden OMGs later �.. I’m finished with the series. (Oh, and there may have been the odd Wtf on the way, too.)
And what a read it’s been! Incredible. Fabulous. Spectacular. Consuming. Heart-wrenching. Oh so heart-wrenching. Poignant. Touching. Agonizing. Excruciating. Overwhelming. Steamy and sizzling HOT. So many fitting adjectives and yet, they can’t even begin to describe ICoS adequately.
‘Fade� is the crowning glory in my opinion (and hence went straight on my ‘best-of-the-best shelf), and it's my favourite for a few reasons.
.) Starting with a bang, it was fast paced, giving me hardly enough time to breathe right up to the last chapter. With turns and twists at every corner it kept me on tenterhooks every single second.
( I did use the same pics for Evenfall, but wanted to include them here at the end...I know Boyd will look more mature and built, but still - to me that's the essence of them. :) )
.) Boyd and Sin � if you thought this couldn’t get better or more heart-rending � think again. What these two have to get through just to be together � is beyond comprehension. That’s why the end is one of the most gratifying things ever! I particularly loved when they got all domestic and we saw them in some kind of NORMAL situation.
.) Emilio � God, I love this man, and who could resist that smart-ass, cheeky, gorgeous bad boy? He certainly got some of the best lines in the book.
“It’s hard being this fucking pretty.� Emilio turned to the side eyeing his profile in the mirror.�
“You named your car’s computer
But what makes him ultimately attractive in my books is his inherent vulnerability. The way he can’t say that he loves someone. The way we know he is desperate for love and affection. The way he puts on the hard-ass- don’t care-mask when he’s dying inside. The way he is such a lonely and lost soul, I just want to�.. sigh. You see what I mean.
.) The expressiveness of the writing struck me particularly in this last book. E.g Boyd’s grief and desperation at the beginning was brilliantly observed and beautifully executed over two whole chapters! I was emotionally destroyed (in the best possible way) after it. That is what excellent authors do.
Needless to mention the intensity of the sex, the intricacy of the plot or the most brilliant secondary characters! Or the sheer addiction that comes with it. Just brace yourself. � Believe me � it might be tough, but I loved all of it!
One thing though � I was left with a few niggles (I will not discuss here and now) and quite a few questions, with one worry in particular.
I’m more than grateful that ICoS was completed before I discovered it. Waiting for instalments would have killed me. And I do thank Sonny and Ais quietly for the 1/27 anthology that’s waiting for me once I’m done with this review�.
A brilliant finish to an exceptional series!
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
December 31, 2014
When I read the last page of Fade, I felt abandoned.
I started reading ICoS on my holiday, and so for the last 5 months it's been part of my reading life, I have questioned some of the twists and turns of the plot, loved and hated various characters and constantly rooted for a properly happy ending..and now its finished ?
To use the word epic is an understatement, this is story telling on a massive scale, over 5000 pages, 5 (or 4 volumes depending on which version you read), excluding 1/27. But it's so alive, I really cared for these characters in a way that I haven't with many other books. I can honestly say that it caused some major emotions as well, the beginning of this book, I went through the wringer, it was just so incredibly sad, then it lifted me up, then I was angry, then bemused, then sad... you get the picture.
Undercut all of this with the desire to find out who is good, who can be trusted, who has what agenda, and then there is the action... which is amazing, several times I did the reenactment thing, getting actual people to move and see does that really work? (pick young flexible people if you're tempted to try this out).
So, it's an epic love story, it's edge of your seat exciting, it's a disturbing view of humankind's ability to completely mess everything up, it's hopeful and tender, one of the best things I have ever read and it's free(kudos and thanks to Santino and Ais )
If you've read it, then you know how good ICoS is, and if you haven't you should - really you should
I started reading ICoS on my holiday, and so for the last 5 months it's been part of my reading life, I have questioned some of the twists and turns of the plot, loved and hated various characters and constantly rooted for a properly happy ending..and now its finished ?
To use the word epic is an understatement, this is story telling on a massive scale, over 5000 pages, 5 (or 4 volumes depending on which version you read), excluding 1/27. But it's so alive, I really cared for these characters in a way that I haven't with many other books. I can honestly say that it caused some major emotions as well, the beginning of this book, I went through the wringer, it was just so incredibly sad, then it lifted me up, then I was angry, then bemused, then sad... you get the picture.
Undercut all of this with the desire to find out who is good, who can be trusted, who has what agenda, and then there is the action... which is amazing, several times I did the reenactment thing, getting actual people to move and see does that really work? (pick young flexible people if you're tempted to try this out).
So, it's an epic love story, it's edge of your seat exciting, it's a disturbing view of humankind's ability to completely mess everything up, it's hopeful and tender, one of the best things I have ever read and it's free(kudos and thanks to Santino and Ais )
If you've read it, then you know how good ICoS is, and if you haven't you should - really you should
June 4, 2016
A roller-coaster ride of angst and adventure, just breaks your heart! Just loved this book, the best written so far. Completed at last, congrats to Sonny and Ais on a brilliant ending..
"The top of (Boyd's) head pressed against the wall and he was sobbing; a wretched mess in the middle of chaos and it hurt, it hurt so much."
March 14, 2016
Where to begin? That's a hell of a question when pondering this series. From start to finish I was drawn in, compelled to keep reading even when I felt like taking a break and reading something else, even just a short story before continuing on. There was always a nagging voice in the back of my brain saying 'no' so I kept reading.
The scariest part of this series was the setting. Set in a world that is post World War III. We are presented with a future that holds very real possibilities, very believable characters making choices that lead sometimes to unforeseen consequences.
Were there flaws in this series sure there were just like in life there are always flaws and sometimes it's the flaws that add to the perfection. In The Company of Shadows was a free read and the sad part of that is I have read books that I paid good, hard earned money for that did not provide me with the hours and hours of entertainment that this story did. Did not leave me feeling like my visit with so many dear friends was at an end, hopefully just for now (I still have the side & back stories to enjoy at the very least).
Fade was the culmination of the war between the agency & Janus, but it was also the resolution to so many other secondary storylines that were woven throughout.
The list of characters that I became attached to was probably the longest list of any series I have ever read. Of course Sin & Boyd top that list. The hell that they both endured especially Boyd. I found myself alternately ranting and sobbing endlessly over what they suffered both separately and together. Ryan is without a doubt the techno geek of my heart, I want to keep him. He is one of the most adorable and loveable characters I have ever encountered. Carhart and Emilio, while this pairing was not a surprise the way the dynamics between these two developed was incredibly well done. The strength and intensity of their relationship was so reflective of the strength and intensity of character they each possessed. Kassian broke my heart, he was broken & damaged and fought so hard to try and fix himself but I don't think he quite knew how. He is definitely a work in progress. To varying degrees there were other characters that I enjoyed but this was the core group who garnered my affection and stole my attention without fail.
I've left Vivienne for the end. Why you might wonder? Because I liked her that much? Oh hell no! I hated Vivienne, wanted her destroyed. As a mother and a person she failed epically. But at the end when events were unfolding the authors presented her in a way that made me think, made me wonder. It was like dominoes if her childhood had been different, if her husband had lived, if she'd known certain things sooner, would she have behaved the way she did, would she have been a different person...a better person? These things remained unanswered and I like that, it leaves it for the reader to decide.
I gave Fade 5 stars because there weren't more than that to be given and while the previous books in this series were 5 star reads for me Fade was more so much more. I was left with a sense of completion to the story but at the same time I was left with things to consider to think about. My brain and my heart were engaged from start to finish and beyond. In my eyes that is the sign of an author's job being very well done and I can want nothing more.
The scariest part of this series was the setting. Set in a world that is post World War III. We are presented with a future that holds very real possibilities, very believable characters making choices that lead sometimes to unforeseen consequences.
Were there flaws in this series sure there were just like in life there are always flaws and sometimes it's the flaws that add to the perfection. In The Company of Shadows was a free read and the sad part of that is I have read books that I paid good, hard earned money for that did not provide me with the hours and hours of entertainment that this story did. Did not leave me feeling like my visit with so many dear friends was at an end, hopefully just for now (I still have the side & back stories to enjoy at the very least).
Fade was the culmination of the war between the agency & Janus, but it was also the resolution to so many other secondary storylines that were woven throughout.
The list of characters that I became attached to was probably the longest list of any series I have ever read. Of course Sin & Boyd top that list. The hell that they both endured especially Boyd. I found myself alternately ranting and sobbing endlessly over what they suffered both separately and together. Ryan is without a doubt the techno geek of my heart, I want to keep him. He is one of the most adorable and loveable characters I have ever encountered. Carhart and Emilio, while this pairing was not a surprise the way the dynamics between these two developed was incredibly well done. The strength and intensity of their relationship was so reflective of the strength and intensity of character they each possessed. Kassian broke my heart, he was broken & damaged and fought so hard to try and fix himself but I don't think he quite knew how. He is definitely a work in progress. To varying degrees there were other characters that I enjoyed but this was the core group who garnered my affection and stole my attention without fail.
I've left Vivienne for the end. Why you might wonder? Because I liked her that much? Oh hell no! I hated Vivienne, wanted her destroyed. As a mother and a person she failed epically. But at the end when events were unfolding the authors presented her in a way that made me think, made me wonder. It was like dominoes if her childhood had been different, if her husband had lived, if she'd known certain things sooner, would she have behaved the way she did, would she have been a different person...a better person? These things remained unanswered and I like that, it leaves it for the reader to decide.
I gave Fade 5 stars because there weren't more than that to be given and while the previous books in this series were 5 star reads for me Fade was more so much more. I was left with a sense of completion to the story but at the same time I was left with things to consider to think about. My brain and my heart were engaged from start to finish and beyond. In my eyes that is the sign of an author's job being very well done and I can want nothing more.
Read
March 10, 2018I'm removing my rating, but not my review. I still love this series, even though I most definitely do not condone what SH has done.
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Major book hangover now....
I feel so sad that I won't be able to read more about Sin and Boyd. That I won't be able to enjoy all of the other characters. Now I actually have to come face with the fact that I do not work for the Agency, that I am not an assassin and I do not live in a world where Sin, Boyd, Emilio, Carhart and all of the others are real.... I feel so depressed.... I really felt like I was there and now I have to say goodbye..
I absolutely loved this final installment of the series. I loved every.single.page�
This book will make you cry. Cry out of sadness, but also cry because this book will let you see the darker side of life, but also the beauty of it.
Boyd
Sin
----- Spoilers ahead------
It was so heartbreaking to see Boyd fall apart. When Boyd thought Sin was dead, I could not stop crying. I felt like I was the one hurting so much. I felt every breath hurting, every thought of Sin being too much. But it was also beautiful to see that Boyd found the strength to keep himself going. He was hurting so much, but he just kept himself together somehow and wouldn’t give the Agency an excuse to terminate him. So he did the only thing to keep him from falling apart, he would prove to The Agency that he was a worthy agent. And boy did he become a badass super agent.
I was a bit afraid that I had to read hundreds of pages where Boyd is hurting so much that I could not take it anymore, but that is not the case. He hurts a lot, but is also determined to keep himself going and it was so beautiful to see him find a part within himself that needs to go on, for Sin.
And the whole Danny thing had me hooked. I liked it! Sin and Boyd got the chance to meet again and to get to know one another all over again. I was on the edge of my seat the entire time.
And the balcony sex scene. Oh my, oh my.
Sonny and Ais have the uncanny ability to make you believe you are there. No character felt flat and even the people who are only mentioned once felt real to me. The extended descriptions made it all very realistic.
-------------------------------------------
Major book hangover now....
I feel so sad that I won't be able to read more about Sin and Boyd. That I won't be able to enjoy all of the other characters. Now I actually have to come face with the fact that I do not work for the Agency, that I am not an assassin and I do not live in a world where Sin, Boyd, Emilio, Carhart and all of the others are real.... I feel so depressed.... I really felt like I was there and now I have to say goodbye..
I absolutely loved this final installment of the series. I loved every.single.page�
This book will make you cry. Cry out of sadness, but also cry because this book will let you see the darker side of life, but also the beauty of it.
Boyd
Sin
----- Spoilers ahead------
It was so heartbreaking to see Boyd fall apart. When Boyd thought Sin was dead, I could not stop crying. I felt like I was the one hurting so much. I felt every breath hurting, every thought of Sin being too much. But it was also beautiful to see that Boyd found the strength to keep himself going. He was hurting so much, but he just kept himself together somehow and wouldn’t give the Agency an excuse to terminate him. So he did the only thing to keep him from falling apart, he would prove to The Agency that he was a worthy agent. And boy did he become a badass super agent.
I was a bit afraid that I had to read hundreds of pages where Boyd is hurting so much that I could not take it anymore, but that is not the case. He hurts a lot, but is also determined to keep himself going and it was so beautiful to see him find a part within himself that needs to go on, for Sin.
And the whole Danny thing had me hooked. I liked it! Sin and Boyd got the chance to meet again and to get to know one another all over again. I was on the edge of my seat the entire time.
And the balcony sex scene. Oh my, oh my.
Sonny and Ais have the uncanny ability to make you believe you are there. No character felt flat and even the people who are only mentioned once felt real to me. The extended descriptions made it all very realistic.
March 4, 2013
What an ending! It was every bit as climatic as it should have been for a series of this length. Fade grabs you from the first page and doesn't let go until you've choked up every last tear. It's impossible to really get into specifics without spoiling, but suffice it to say, if you've come this far you will not be disappointed.
ETA:
ETA:
Read
March 10, 2018*rating removed
In order to support the victims of the despicable behavior of Santino, I will remove the rating but my review stands cause I just can't...... I'm so mad that my beloved Sin & Boyd are now ruined by Santino.
*
I can't believe this is the end. I can't believe this journey is over. But there it was, written in black :'The End of In the Company of Shadows'.
This book had me crying, pulling my hair out from frustration, having severe heart attack-moments, laughing out loud and rooting for these characters�. Pretty much all kinds of emotions you can think of, I have experienced in this series. Incredible!!!
I had a really hard time reading the first 30% of “Fade� because of the struggle Boyd was going through!! And although Sin was not with us this part, Boyd kept him alive for us in his mind. It was just heartbreaking� Also to learn what Boyd had endured during his last mission as valentine. This agency� I hated them. Boyd was so strong, how he dealt with everything.
My favorite part was Cried so much!!!
I also liked Emilio and Zach together. Them caring so much for each other and for Boyd and Sin.
There were so much twists and turns in this book, my head kept spinning.
The end of the book was and I am soooo hoping for book 5 The series can easily go on for another 1000 pages!!
But for now it’s time to say goodbye to;
Hsin “Sin�
You stole my heart�.
Boyd
You came a long way to the grown man in book 4 who had to make all kind of difficult decisions�
Emilio
You had me laughing all the time!! You are so crazy�
Zach “Carhart�
You stood up for everyone�.
Ryan
I love you man�.
Kassian, Owen, great characters!!
Vivienne, uugghhhh
Goodbye my friends!!!
I’m feeling depressed now!! And one final warning: DO NOT READ THIS SERIES UNLESS YOU ARE READY TO BE CONSUMED!!! BECAUSE IT WILL CONSUME EVERY THOUGHT YOU HAVE!!
review Evenfall (book I)
review Afterimage (book II)
review Interludes (book III)
review 1/27: An ICoS Anthology
============================================
26/5/2014
I've finished and now can't stop thinking about the ending!!!! (sweet dreams...) OMG...... Dit not see that coming.
July 12, 2014
Boyd comes back from his long valentine mission. But something is amiss. Something big. Something important. He must find a way to live without him, but he doesn't think he needs to... He still has hope.
An absolute work of art.
The depth to the characters, even the ones who don't have a big role is tremendous, I feel like I know all the characters in and out. There is a lot of heartbreak in this novel, so heed my forewarning, and fortify your heart!
Fade has to be the best book in the series, the pace is even faster than the others, and so goddamn entertaining! It's a real page-turner.
I enjoyed reading a little about Adam and Gordon, as I read about them in After Midnight, and was hoping to catch up on them. Nice to see they're still as dysfunctional as ever.
It took me 960 minutes/16 hours. Wish it was longer though!
Sad to see an end to this series! Hopefully more will be released...
An absolute work of art.
The depth to the characters, even the ones who don't have a big role is tremendous, I feel like I know all the characters in and out. There is a lot of heartbreak in this novel, so heed my forewarning, and fortify your heart!
Fade has to be the best book in the series, the pace is even faster than the others, and so goddamn entertaining! It's a real page-turner.
I enjoyed reading a little about Adam and Gordon, as I read about them in After Midnight, and was hoping to catch up on them. Nice to see they're still as dysfunctional as ever.
It took me 960 minutes/16 hours. Wish it was longer though!
Sad to see an end to this series! Hopefully more will be released...
-The End of In the Company of Shadows-
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