Hell's End by Ally Blue

41439Title: Hell’s End

Series: Hellscape 01

Author: Ally Blue

Genre: Science Fiction

Length: Super Novel (292pgs)

Publisher: Samhain Publishing (21st May 2013)

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥5 Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb: Rebellion, war and survival. Love’s a bitch.

Tuck’s a Gutter, one of a gang of violent orphans running level thirty-six of Hell’s End, the solar system’s outermost space station. There’s only one way out of this brotherhood of blood—grow up and be killed and eaten by other Gutters.

Tuck barely escapes his death sentence, only to fall prey to the powerful L’arisian family. Rescue from a L’arisian whorehouse never happens, but rescued he is, and by Gov soldiers no less. Alone among the enemy, Tuck trusts only one person—the man who risked everything to pluck him to safety.

Ivan’s a soldier. No more, no less. But the disquieting things he learns about the Government’s plans for the Gutter kid have him doing the one thing a soldier shouldn’t do. Think about doing what’s right instead of what he’s told. All for a guy he can’t get out of his head.

Getting involved in a rebellion that might get them killed is a problem. Falling in love? That’s a disaster in the making.

This book contains rebels, spies, soldiers, bad guys, love, sex, betrayal, fights to the death, and robot spiders. Really.

Purchase Link: http://store.samhainpublishing.com/hells-end-p-7405.html

Review: Hell’s End is a war field. Between the Gov and the families fighting for control, it’s a fight for survival every day. Tuck is a Gutter, one of the many children who band together to stay alive. But life expectancy is short. If you live past 18/19 years old and the Gov and families don’t get you, then the other Gutters will. Tuck’s time has run out and when he outruns the Gutters, his problems have only just begun. Ivan is a Gov soldier and when he is ordered to rescue a kid from one of the families’ whorehouses, his suspicions are aroused. Just what is so special about a Gutter kid that the Gov would pull off a daring rescue? Discovering the truth, Ivan sets out to do what is right. Getting involved with the rebellion may get them both killed, but falling in love gives them something to live for.

Oh. My. God. hold on to your seat because this ride is about to get bumpy. Tuck lives on level thirty-six of Hell’s End. That level belongs to the Gutters. Children abandoned throughout the station are taken in by older children and they survive by any means necessary and if you get older or slow down, then you make a tasty meal for the rest of the Gutters. Tuck’s time has come and when he manages to escape, he ends up being caught by one of the families. And being rescued isn’t something he even imagined. Being rescued by the Gov is a disaster and when Ivan comes to him with a warning; it draws both of them into Gov secrets that the Gov don’t want discovered. Ivan and Tuck are drawn together in hard times, developing feelings that could be used against them. But, their feelings won’t be ignored, and can they save each other while fighting against the Gov?

*Squeal* This book grips you by the throat from the first page, and as a warning if you have a delicate stomach there are times when it will churn. The setting in this book is brutal. It is a fight for survival. There aren’t many levels where the brutality doesn’t reach, and even the levels that should be safe have hidden dangers. The characters are varied, but each has the underlying need for survival. Ivan and Tuck may come from completely different levels, but there is a spark between them that is rough and needy and their love doesn’t come easy or wrapped in a pretty package. Their love develops during harsh times, while they are digging and delving in places better left alone.

The storyline is a twisting maelstrom. We discover the Gov’s dark secrets, and the lengths they will go to get their way. But, as we are drawn in further, the depths of the Gov’s duplicity are revealed. The background settings are brilliantly written. The backdrop stands out against the story that is being played out and the characters add the life and danger that lingers all over Hell’s End. Should I tell you about the spider robots? Nah, I think that is an experience you should discover for yourself. Should I describe the rolling street battles? Now, where would be the fun in that? Should I tell you more about the Gutters… the scariest group of all? I wouldn’t want to ruin your revulsion or the kindling seeds of pity.           

If you want a science fiction story that is brutal and gritty, that has danger and excitement, that will turn your stomach, that has love and hope, a brilliant storyline and the beginnings of a happily ever after, then this story is for you.