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the_novel_approach's review
5.0
“We were both externally marked, battle-hardened, on every inch of our skin. But it was the memories we carried with us, the depth of surety in each other – and not those slashes woven with ink – that marked us in an indelible way.”
What to say about Powerless, book three in S.A. McAuley’s epic Borders War series… To paraphrase the opening line of Peter Travers’ recent Rolling Stone review of the new film The Revenant – Note to book pussies: Powerless is not for you. This book will kick your ass and rip your heart out. BUT, IT’S SO WORTH IT.
The storyline picks up right where it left off in Dominant Predator. Merq and Armise have been called back from their hunt of the remaining Opposition Committee members to protect President Wensen Kersch from an assassination threat. Things begin to get out of hand straight away. Merq is certain that Armise is hiding something from him, and he’s getting some very strange and mostly vague information regarding the state of the union, so to speak, from Jegs. Still, at first it seems to be clear where they are needed most at the moment.Only, what is obviously a cut-and-dried decision for Merq isn’t so black and white for Armise, and thus, the first conflict of the book arises.
Circumstances cause a lengthy separation between Merq and Armise. And, by “circumstances,” I mean chalk it up to Armise’s hard-headedness, or stubborn male miscommunication, or the fucked up mess that is war…take your pick. In hindsight, of course, I see it was necessary; you do get the satisfaction of some explanations along the way. Also, McAuley has written a harrowing, gorgeous, EXTREMELY well-thought-out novel here. There is no doubt that she executed the story brilliantly. BUT, that doesn’t mean I have to like it, or that it didn’t shred my heart to smithereens.
Merq is tested beyond what any human should have to endure. Physically, emotionally, and every other way you can imagine. He even completely gives up at one point – which was one of the toughest chapters I’ve ever had to muscle through.Three different people have to remind him of his worth, and that he is stronger and smarter than he thinks.He has to dig deep in this one. This book marks a turning point for Merq. No longer is the mission everything. Powerless is what he intends to no longer feel, ever again. From this point forward, any fighting Merq does is on his terms, either for himself, or later, for his future with Armise.
“You’re only powerless if you let them take away your power.”
As in the first two installments, the writing blew my mind. This book, and this entire series, contains some of the most powerful and gut-wrenching dialogue I have ever read. There is so much brilliant foreshadowing in this book I can’t even tell you. And, there are incredible scenes between Merq and various other characters, particularly President Kersch, Simion, and Neveed, which are unforgettable. I grew to love both Simion and Neveed more than I can express; at one point the dynamics change between Sims, Neveed, and Merq, and their interactions become absolutely priceless.
The politics are fascinating, never tedious. I think McAuley nailed the perfect balance of politics, action and love story. The entire series is a statement on the human condition, the levels people will go to in the name of power, and the presence and shifts of good and evil, both in the world and in individuals.
“We’re bad people, Darcan. We’ll always exist more in the darkness than the light. But if we’re going to make it, we have to find some way not to be bad to each other.”
Intense doesn’t even begin to describe the final chapters of Powerless, and what’s in store for you in the rest of the series. There are secrets, lies, and mind-blowing revelations. I get goosebumps and/or burst into spontaneous tears every time I think about it. If I had the fortitude, I would read this series multiple times; in fact, I do plan to read it again as soon as I’m out of therapy for the PTSD from this go ’round. I truly do think you could read it five times and see something new each reading, that’s how detailed and amazing this world is. My hat is off to you, Sam; thanks for the incredible ride. And, I’ll be sending you my therapy bill.
Reviewed by Jules for The Novel Approach
http://www.thenovelapproachreviews.com/release-day-review-powerless-by-s-a-mcauley/
What to say about Powerless, book three in S.A. McAuley’s epic Borders War series… To paraphrase the opening line of Peter Travers’ recent Rolling Stone review of the new film The Revenant – Note to book pussies: Powerless is not for you. This book will kick your ass and rip your heart out. BUT, IT’S SO WORTH IT.
The storyline picks up right where it left off in Dominant Predator. Merq and Armise have been called back from their hunt of the remaining Opposition Committee members to protect President Wensen Kersch from an assassination threat. Things begin to get out of hand straight away. Merq is certain that Armise is hiding something from him, and he’s getting some very strange and mostly vague information regarding the state of the union, so to speak, from Jegs. Still, at first it seems to be clear where they are needed most at the moment.Only, what is obviously a cut-and-dried decision for Merq isn’t so black and white for Armise, and thus, the first conflict of the book arises.
Circumstances cause a lengthy separation between Merq and Armise. And, by “circumstances,” I mean chalk it up to Armise’s hard-headedness, or stubborn male miscommunication, or the fucked up mess that is war…take your pick. In hindsight, of course, I see it was necessary; you do get the satisfaction of some explanations along the way. Also, McAuley has written a harrowing, gorgeous, EXTREMELY well-thought-out novel here. There is no doubt that she executed the story brilliantly. BUT, that doesn’t mean I have to like it, or that it didn’t shred my heart to smithereens.
Merq is tested beyond what any human should have to endure. Physically, emotionally, and every other way you can imagine. He even completely gives up at one point – which was one of the toughest chapters I’ve ever had to muscle through.Three different people have to remind him of his worth, and that he is stronger and smarter than he thinks.He has to dig deep in this one. This book marks a turning point for Merq. No longer is the mission everything. Powerless is what he intends to no longer feel, ever again. From this point forward, any fighting Merq does is on his terms, either for himself, or later, for his future with Armise.
“You’re only powerless if you let them take away your power.”
As in the first two installments, the writing blew my mind. This book, and this entire series, contains some of the most powerful and gut-wrenching dialogue I have ever read. There is so much brilliant foreshadowing in this book I can’t even tell you. And, there are incredible scenes between Merq and various other characters, particularly President Kersch, Simion, and Neveed, which are unforgettable. I grew to love both Simion and Neveed more than I can express; at one point the dynamics change between Sims, Neveed, and Merq, and their interactions become absolutely priceless.
The politics are fascinating, never tedious. I think McAuley nailed the perfect balance of politics, action and love story. The entire series is a statement on the human condition, the levels people will go to in the name of power, and the presence and shifts of good and evil, both in the world and in individuals.
“We’re bad people, Darcan. We’ll always exist more in the darkness than the light. But if we’re going to make it, we have to find some way not to be bad to each other.”
Intense doesn’t even begin to describe the final chapters of Powerless, and what’s in store for you in the rest of the series. There are secrets, lies, and mind-blowing revelations. I get goosebumps and/or burst into spontaneous tears every time I think about it. If I had the fortitude, I would read this series multiple times; in fact, I do plan to read it again as soon as I’m out of therapy for the PTSD from this go ’round. I truly do think you could read it five times and see something new each reading, that’s how detailed and amazing this world is. My hat is off to you, Sam; thanks for the incredible ride. And, I’ll be sending you my therapy bill.
Reviewed by Jules for The Novel Approach
http://www.thenovelapproachreviews.com/release-day-review-powerless-by-s-a-mcauley/
haletostilinski1's review
5.0
So. Fucking. GOOD!
While the second book felt like a transitional book between the main action, more like setting it up, although making necessary building blocks in Merq and Armise's relationship, this one got back to the main action, and it was a doozy.
It hurts, what Merq goes through in this. What Armise goes through too, although it seems like he leaves Merq and betrays him. But this is ultimately their love story, so that isn't truly the case.
Doesn't mean it isn't damn painful and as if Merq and us aren't worried and lose our faith in Armise a little - well for Merq, it was a lot. We almost get back to book one when they were mortal enemies, but it was different this time, because there a lot pain behind Merq's anger and "hate" and a lot more feelings this time around.
The action almost immediately picks up from the second book in this. Merq and Armise get back to protect the president, but there are still SO many things left unsaid between Merq and Armise, something that Merq knows Armise is hiding, and when their bunker is attacked, it all goes to shit.
Merq's unwavering trust in Armise was taken away in this. Now Armise has to earn it back, because while he didn't actually betray Merq, he was an idiot, in my opinion, for not talking to Merq about, for shutting him out. He had good reasons, yeah, but he needs to trust Merq as much as he wants Merq to trust him. There are still barriers he needs to learn to let down when it comes to Merq - although less than Merq, still...I think unnecessary pain happened between these two because Armise shut Merq out. Or at least, a worse, different kind of pain - because Merq might not have believed Armise, might have fought it, and maybe Armise would have ended up anyway, but Merq would have at least known why, even if he didn't believe it.
These two have gotten SO far from that first book, and their obvious love and passion for each other (even though Merq won't admit it! At least out loud!) was at an all time high, the intensity was crazy good, but they still aren't quite there yet, to that full trust and love that they both desperately want - that Armise, I think, needs to learn how to have, even though he freely admits he wants it, he still has to learn how to work for it and keep it, and that Merq is terrified of having, and I think he always has been, but after the pain and hurt in this book, I think he is even more so.
It's like his feelings for Armise have evolved so much, that I think he really is all the way in love with him now, it's evident in the books, but he's regressed back to not being able to even think or say the word 'love' because of what happened. But it's all about fear now, when before I think it was part fear, but mainly because he thought he could never have it, not in the world they lived in or with who he was, as a soldier first and foremost.
But now he totally has it with Armise, it's as clear as day - - but they're both pretty fucked up from their shitty lives of constant war, basically, that they haven't quite gotten to a place where they communicate well or be all the way in and trusting each other completely. Steps still need to be taken for them to be all the way there.
And I cannot wait to read more. This story is so engaging, and Armise and Merq are so fucking great together - their chemistry is scorching and their love for each other is so amazing, I just...AHH! I'm loving these two and this wild, crazy, entertaining story.
It's totally sucked me in, and I SO recommend it. Now I'm off to read the 4th book because I need more Armise and Merq in my life, and to find out what happens next! AH :D
While the second book felt like a transitional book between the main action, more like setting it up, although making necessary building blocks in Merq and Armise's relationship, this one got back to the main action, and it was a doozy.
It hurts, what Merq goes through in this. What Armise goes through too, although it seems like he leaves Merq and betrays him. But this is ultimately their love story, so that isn't truly the case.
Doesn't mean it isn't damn painful and as if Merq and us aren't worried and lose our faith in Armise a little - well for Merq, it was a lot. We almost get back to book one when they were mortal enemies, but it was different this time, because there a lot pain behind Merq's anger and "hate" and a lot more feelings this time around.
Spoiler
Also we go through a long time in this book where they're separated. It's painful.The action almost immediately picks up from the second book in this. Merq and Armise get back to protect the president, but there are still SO many things left unsaid between Merq and Armise, something that Merq knows Armise is hiding, and when their bunker is attacked, it all goes to shit.
Merq's unwavering trust in Armise was taken away in this. Now Armise has to earn it back, because while he didn't actually betray Merq, he was an idiot, in my opinion, for not talking to Merq about, for shutting him out. He had good reasons, yeah, but he needs to trust Merq as much as he wants Merq to trust him. There are still barriers he needs to learn to let down when it comes to Merq - although less than Merq, still...I think unnecessary pain happened between these two because Armise shut Merq out. Or at least, a worse, different kind of pain - because Merq might not have believed Armise, might have fought it, and maybe Armise would have ended up
Spoiler
leavingThese two have gotten SO far from that first book, and their obvious love and passion for each other (even though Merq won't admit it! At least out loud!) was at an all time high, the intensity was crazy good, but they still aren't quite there yet, to that full trust and love that they both desperately want - that Armise, I think, needs to learn how to have, even though he freely admits he wants it, he still has to learn how to work for it and keep it, and that Merq is terrified of having, and I think he always has been, but after the pain and hurt in this book, I think he is even more so.
It's like his feelings for Armise have evolved so much, that I think he really is all the way in love with him now, it's evident in the books, but he's regressed back to not being able to even think or say the word 'love' because of what happened. But it's all about fear now, when before I think it was part fear, but mainly because he thought he could never have it, not in the world they lived in or with who he was, as a soldier first and foremost.
But now he totally has it with Armise, it's as clear as day -
Spoiler
as evidenced by him not letting Neveed touch him or go further, because yeah, that almost happens, but thankfully nothing more than a kiss and touching happens (that is, his legs and stomach such, not his dick thankfully) before he stops it and says he won't do it. He's not Armise, and all he wants is Armise, even after his seeming betrayalAnd I cannot wait to read more. This story is so engaging, and Armise and Merq are so fucking great together - their chemistry is scorching and their love for each other is so amazing, I just...AHH! I'm loving these two and this wild, crazy, entertaining story.
It's totally sucked me in, and I SO recommend it. Now I'm off to read the 4th book because I need more Armise and Merq in my life, and to find out what happens next! AH :D
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