Heather’s Bookshelf: Chasm of Exiles
Author: Seeley James
Released: 10/08/24
Genre: Adult Psychological Mystery
“This was one of those decisions I always dreaded. A decision with a half-second deadline that could save lives or get my squad killed. Once my decision was made, the dead would be the lucky ones. No longer chained to guilt or remorse, they would be free. If I survived, I would carry the weight. There are always alternatives. Knowing that can make a person second-guess every decision they make. It can drive a person mad.”
Former Army Ranger Jacob Stearne is on another mission for his boss, Pia Sabel. This time, he’s accompanied by a group of misfit specialists. The Chaac equation, which can produce long-duration batteries, is has been stolen. In pursuit of it, Stearne happens about a murder scene that points in the direction of a powerful executive. And he’s not the only one in pursuit of the equation.
Jackie Maura, a ruthless operative from the Remmo Nidal Corporation and her crew are on the trail too and they’re not messing around. The dangers from the Maura crew, foreign governments, and threats even closer to home force Stearne to make some tough decisions and to second guess his trust for all of those around him. Will Stearne be able to negotiate everything and find the Chaac equation before it falls into the wrong hands?
Trigger Warning: violence, adult language, murder, assault, attempted rape, reference to prostitution, reference to school shooting
Overall, I enjoyed this tale. A majority of the story is told through Stearne’s POV, though multiple voices are heard throughout the story including Symone’s. Stearne holds true on the more serious side but deviates a bit with his sort-of-relationship with Betty Bardon and the God in his head, Mercury. However, the POV that steals the show is Symone. The author does a great job in interspersing prose from different age groups and independent voices. She is funny, stubborn, broken, and direct. It almost felt like a passing of the torch. Between her dialogue and the action sequences, the story moves along at a steady pace. The action is sprinkled throughout and there are a couple of really intense scenes. The writing is vivid and it’s easy to become immersed in both the action and the emotional connection between characters. The ending wraps everything up nicely while also providing a fork-in-the-road for both Stearne and Symone. I’d love to read what each of them decide!
I received a copy of this story in exchange of a fair and honest review.
OVERALL REVIEW:
A thriller sequel with a strong lead, an even stronger ancillary character, and lots of action.
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