Simply put, this second installment basically threw the door wide open and took off running!

The first book definitely took its time setting up the premise, the world building, and the foundation of who and what empaths are. In this alternate reality, empaths are inherent pacifists, putting others before themselves, and avoiding conflict at all costs.  However, with such an ability to read and influence emotions, the potential danger of them using this power for nefarious means has resulted in global initiatives to protect the general populace from being affected. 

Expanding upon the greater machinations behind the institutions who are against empaths, this again explored an X-Men type scenario.  How or should a particular subset of the population be monitored and possibly controlled for the benefit and security of the masses, and when does scientific advancement go too far, crossing the line to infringe upon basic human rights in the name of safety?

Rest assured, this isn’t all existential pondering.  Still caught in the middle is empath Reece who is this close to being corrupted, where he’d use his powers for bad selfish intent instead of good, able to “thrall” anyone to do his bidding.  However, always present is Evan, an empath specialist known as the Dead Man, who’s completely immune to any emotional influence and thus, not vulnerable to empath powers.  Where these two cannot and should not work, where their fundamental biological makeup won’t allow them to normally connect on any level, Therin deftly makes their burgeoning forced companionship succeed quite wonderfully.  

Admittedly, I had my doubts as to how this series could, or would, progress as an MM romance, and all I can say is that this far exceeded my expectations.  Not only is Reece and Evan the perfect complete opposites pair, but their banter was spot on, and their not flirty interactions were smile inducing.  As they both grumpily force themselves to work together because neither has a choice (not that they wanted any other options), they investigate a series of empath disappearances, and what they find is not good at all.

Told in mostly alternating POV, this really lent great fascinating insight into both Reece and Evan. Reece continued to drive me just as crazy as he did in the first book due to his complete lack of self preservation, but his antics were mitigated by the lovely sexy Evan who makes quite the compelling mysterious character. It also doesn’t hurt that the supporting cast was equally intriguing as they all eventually converge for the big reveal. 

 

Again, this was a wonderful follow up to Liar City.  The story propelled me along at a clipped pace, ending on a cliffhanger between Reece and Evan who are both pushed into a corner that they don’t see any way out of.  However, I now have faith in Therin to deliver an alternative to both their immutable paths that supposedly can’t be changed despite everything and everyone saying otherwise.  Sadly, it will be a long wait to get the next installment, but I will be here waiting for the drop as soon as it comes!