Review: Terminated by Rachel Caine

Terminated
(Revivalist #3)
Rachel Caine
Release: August 6, 2013
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Already addicted to the pharmaceutical drug that keeps her body from decomposing, Bryn has to stop a secretive group of rich and powerful investors from eliminating the existing Returné addicts altogether. To ensure their plan to launch a new, military-grade strain of nanotech, the investors’ undead assassin—who just happens to be the ex-wife of Bryn’s lover Patrick—is on the hunt for anyone that stands in their way.

And while Bryn’s allies aren’t about to go down without a fight, the secret she’s been keeping threatens to put those closest to her in even more danger. Poised to become a monster that her own side—and her own lover—will have to trap and kill, Bryn needs to find the cure to have any hope of preserving the lives of her friends, and her own dwindling humanity…

Review:

Terminated is the ridiculously fast-paced and exciting conclusion to the Revivalist trilogy. I didn't find out this was the final book until literally right as I was beginning the book, so I was disappointed to learn that this series is just a trilogy and not longer. However, Caine was smart to end on a high note instead of dragging things out and even though I wish the series was just slightly longer I did really love these books.

In this final book, Bryn is no longer working at the funeral home. Things pick up almost immediately after the ending of Two Weeks Notice, with Bryn and Riley having been infected with the special nanites that are turning them into more 'zombie' than 'revived'. Bryn and the rest of the gang are on the road for almost all of the story, fueled by Jane being hot on their heels and their quest to stop the group behind Pharmadene. The Fountain group is the typically out-of-touch with reality, wealthy, well-connected, and secretive group that serves as the 'bad guy' in a lot of conspiracy or spy movies. They are always one step ahead of Bryn and that keeps the excitement going for the entire book. Jane is as homicidal and creepy as ever and she serves as a terrifically evil face of the Fountain group.

I loved how the twist of Bryn and Riley's new status was included in the story but didn't overshadow it. Both are at war with their secret and must decide whether or not to warn the rest of the group. Riley, as always, plays an interesting part in the cast of characters, as you just never know whether or not she can be trusted. And Riley is just one of many awesome characters. The wonderfully mature and well developed characters in this series are really the strength behind it and its amazing that Caine managed to make these characters so fully realized amid so much action and fast pacing.

Bryn and Patrick's romance continues, even after suffering slightly at the introduction of Jane, master of torture and Pat's ex-wife, in the previous book. They had some understandably rocky times, but there were no annoying plot devices used to stop and start their relationship. They had some problems - hard not to after you find out your boyfriend was previously married and then his ex tortures you for days with a spoon - they work it out, life goes on.

This was a terrific and satisfying conclusion to the series. The only reason I didn't rate this book a full five stars was that the ending was very rushed in my opinion. A LOT happened in about two pages. I didn't see why the ending couldn't have stretched just a few more pages to give characters the proper reactions to what was happening. But, seriously, that was my only critique of all three books in the trilogy so I'm still fully satisfied.

Check out Terminated and the entire Revivalist trilogy when you're in the mood for some awesome.

Recommended for fans of: UF meshed with sci-fi meshed with conspiracy thrillers, straight forward writing, explosions, gunfights, and characters that die 17 different ways,

This review is based on an advance copy of the book provided by the publisher.

    1/2

  4.5 stars

My reviews of other books in this series:
Working Stiff (Revivalist #1)
Two Weeks' Notice (Revivalist #2)