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Christ on a cracker, y’all – THIS BOOK. No shit, THIS BOOK.

Do you enjoy dystopian fiction like Hunger Games or Divergent but wish all the good dystopians weren’t about teenagers? Can you not get enough of House of Cards? Or wish the West Wing was still happening? Into reading detailed marathon sex sessions between consenting adults? Then pick up this series immediately.

Dissident is the first in the Bellator Saga, which will eventually span six books released over the next few years. The second book Conscience is releasing in August, two more in 2016 and two more in 2017.

Essentially, the plot (as we know it) boils down to this. The United States has somehow fallen under martial law and President Santos is some sort of megalomaniacal sociopath. California has already seceded and it appears Texas is on the way out too. No one has any money and anyone who appears to question the new regime disappears.

The story is told alternating between flashbacks and “present day” and that makes it a little hard to orient yourself at first, but once you do, this story will grab you and not let go until the cliffhanger on the last page.

The two main characters, Caroline and Jack, are elected officials in Washington – she a Democrat and he a Republican- who initially hate each other. She even went to so far as to endorse his opponent in the last election and said some hateful things about Jack during that campaign. Because they’re adults and want to behave as such, Caroline apologizes when they’re at a party and they eventually form a friendship which leads to more.

The more is done so very well – the blending of their lives is taken slowly and appropriately. That’s not only because they’re both public figures but also because Caroline is a widow with two daughters. The way London describes how the two girls relate to Jack felt authentic to me and added to the depth of the story.

Once the girls are on board with Jack and Caroline, the relationship cements and the two engage in several long and well described and freaking hot sex marathons. London says there is going to be more sex in the second book and if they’re anything akin to what is written here – buckle up, petals. We are in for a treat.

I really don’t want to get more into the plot for the simple reason that I want to spoil nothing. I want the twists and turns and mysteries to entrance you the same way they did me. I wouldn’t call this romantic suspense simply because it’s bigger than that. But if anything I typed in here ticks any of your boxes, pick this one up.

Drink recommendation is straight forward for me on this one: whiskey. Middleton Barry Crockett. One ice cube. And keep them coming.

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Further Reading:

  • List of dystopian fiction from Wikipedia
  • Dystopian romance: This list is from Goodreads and – let’s be honest – they’re mostly YA. But if this isn’t a genre you’ve dove around in, let me suggest Selection, Hunger Games and Chemical Garden.
  • Best Politcal Thriller Films: According to Ranker.com, this is the best political thrillers out there for the big screen to your small screen

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I received a copy of this book from the author and a version of this review appeared at Rakes of Romance.