Title: Nicholas
Series: Powerline 01
Author: Derekica Snake
Genre: Space Opera, Science Fiction
Length: Novel (191 pages)
ISNB: 9780981180236 (Amazon B00HV64NBI)
Publisher: Derekica Snake (3rd January 2014)
Heat Level: Moderate – Explicit
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥4 Hearts
Reviewer: Pixie
Blurb: Magic never leads to happiness.
Nicky walked out of the Wild into the civilized world and within a few years, he carved out a territory with a selected pack of loyal gang members. He had a secret to keep that not only could affect his hard won territory but also his very existence. Secrets are always found out, especially when that secret involves magic.
Magic was the backbone of the Miradryl Empire; wherever magic can be found the Empire moves to take it as its own. Those who can wield that power are the chosen and the privileged few.
King Tiger, Battle Mage Arthur Magnus is searching for a special kind of battery, a Latent – a person who could control energy. The discovery of a new powerful source leads him to this backwater world. His intention was to force a union between them but then the magic decided to bond them forever.
Nicky and Magnus found themselves mage mated, not only was their magic intertwined but now their lives were as well. Their hearts were another matter.
Purchase Link: USA: http://www.amazon.com/Powerline-Nicholas-Book-Derekica-Snake-ebook/dp/B00HV64NBI
UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Powerline-Nicholas-Book-Derekica-Snake-ebook/dp/B00HV64NBI
Lulu: http://www.lulu.com/shop/derekica-snake/powerline-nicholas/ebook/product-21383227.html
Warning: Some scenes of bloody violence and of forced sex/rape, and an arrogant King Tiger and a spitting snarling Nicholas with very sharp claws.
Review: Nicholas (aka Nicky & Neko) carved himself a place in civil society after he emerged from the Wild, the leader of a small gang the Skullz that is swallowed by their big brother the RIPpers. But, even they can’t keep Nicky safe when his secret abilities are leaked and the Empire comes for him. The Miradryl Empire has the monopoly on magic and will do anything to get it, their King Tigers are feared for their devastating power but they go through batteries (Latent’s) fast and Nicky is just the battery they need to keep their King Tiger Magnus happy. Magnus and Nicky clash but their bond is solid, now all Nicky needs to do is keep both of them alive.
Whoop! Now for those who adore a slightly dark but fun space opera type story this is the best, Nicky is from the Wild and after an incident he heads for civilization and carves his way into a position of slight power with his blades and a touch of magic, but it isn’t long before he falls under the watchful eyes of Grimm and the RIPpers. After an uneasy truce between the two becomes a merging, it isn’t long before Nicky finds himself betrayed to the Empire and in an impossible position, he can’t see any way out of. Magnus, King Tiger, demands Nicky as his Latent and Nicky discovers his problems have only just begun as Magnus makes demands on Nicky and Nicky tries to fight what is expected of him.
Hmmm, I have to say that I love these types of stories where it has that edge of violence and danger and a reluctant love develops from the worst of starts. Where violence and sex clash but never seems to quite break the boundaries and where a thread of humor never seems far away. The storyline is new and interesting blending science fiction with magic together but with violence and characters with attitude. While some people may find some parts harsh, I think Derekica Snake has done a good job of getting across a lot of the circumstances surrounding the incidents and Nicky’s matter of fact attitude helps to mitigate what could be harrowing experiences.
As we read further into the book, we begin to understand why Magnus is such an arrogant ass and yeah he does manage to grow on you, Nicky is a brilliant character but then I have always loved a psycho. Now the actual world building is great, we learn a lot about Nicky, his background, and the world he lives on, not much is left out so we understand the man he is and the world that molded him. As we learn more about the Empire the sorrier you feel for Magnus and you can’t help but hope that Magnus will blow them up accidentally on purpose while Nicky slashes them to pieces. Now the storyline and plot were perfect in my eyes but this story is self-published and there were a few editing errors but they didn’t really take away my enjoyment of the story and to be honest I can’t wait for Powerlines: Toy Tiger.
So I recommend this to those who love space opera, science fiction with a touch of magic, arrogant bastard characters, vindictive humorous characters, a great storyline with a hint of dark threaded with humor, a relationship that could easily be doomed or will soar to heights of brilliance and a very interesting ending.