Feature book: Severance

Severance by Jess Anastasi

It is the Eros Quadrant in the Coeus galaxy that this story is set in. And there are two stories that come together.

One story involves Nakita Branson and Alastor, also known as the Executioner. She is human or actually half-demon, which is something she finds out and he is a demon who is bound to her.

Nakita has been duped while on a mission and discovers what the other members of her patrol have been up to. Nakita has an ability to stop the demons from taking over her mind. Alastor, realising she is in trouble, rescues her and takes her to his place and then on to a planet very similar to Earth.

Alastor is known as the Executioner but loses his edge when he is around Nakita and then tries to disregard the bond that has developed, with dire consequences. Nevertheless, the pair are stuck together because of this initial bond.

Alastor has also killed his brother, which gives an added element of danger.

In the other story thread, Marc is the head of HCAAD. When Nakita goes missing he makes it his mission to find her. On his way he makes contact with his source and they meet. When he sees who his source is, he is very surprised. He then finds himself bonded to his angel source. And Charmaine is not very happy.

The two threads in the story are brought together when Nakita and Alastor arrive on Sanctuary they find Marc and Charmaine. There is a battle of words and misunderstandings between the couples until each has a HEA.

As a reader, I did wonder where the threads would take me but they were nicely tied together and solved many of the questions brought up between the couples. There isn’t much world building, but there is enough detail to know that it is a different world and these characters react to the situations as only they can in the circumstances. This is a relatively short story for an afternoon’s pleasure.

reviewed by Heather K

A review copy of this book was provided by the author.