by Cecilia London
Series: Bellator Saga #1
Purchase*: Amazon *affiliate
She once was important. Now she’s considered dangerous. In a new America where almost no one can be trusted, Caroline lies unconscious in a government hospital as others decide her fate. She is a political dissident, wanted for questioning by a brutal regime that has come to power in a shockingly easy way. As she recovers from her injuries, all she has are her memories. And once she wakes up, they may not matter anymore. Part One of a Six Part Series. Each part is a full length novel between 60,000-120,000 words and ends in a cliffhanger. For readers 18+. This saga contains adult situations, including non-gratuitous violence, explicit (consensual) sex, psychological and physical trauma, and an oftentimes dark and gritty plot (particularly in part two).
Dissident by Cecilia London is the first in the Bellator Saga a six-part series featuring full-length novels. It begins on the cusp of a dystopian world. Dissident teases us with what is to come while we get to know two key characters.
Caffeinated Aspects:
- London hooks the reader from the opening pages making us very curious about what is happening to Caroline and Jack. I wanted to know who they were, why they were in trouble and what was happening.
- The story has chapters both in present day and of those in the past. The chapters in the past make up the majority of the tale as we meet Caroline and Jack and witness their romance unfold. In between, we get chapters on what is happening both to Caroline and in the United States. These chapters were suspenseful and oh how I wanted more.
- The romance is a slow burn with friendship, heat, and growth. London fleshes out the characters taking us into their personal lives as well as their careers in government. I enjoyed both Caroline and Jack’s characters. Of the two, we get to understand and identify more with Caroline. She is strong, confident and as a politician, she tends to be bi-partisan and relentlessly stands by her convictions in the all-boys club.
- From the chapters in the present we know Caroline is injured and have an inkling of where Jack is. It is the why we do not learn about, at least not yet. Caroline is injured and we meet other characters such as doctors who go beyond in their duty to help her. We know there is civil unrest, the government is like a regime and that states are seceding. These chapters held me riveted and I was begging for more.
- The story has a nice flow and is well written. The reader can easily identify where they are in the story.
Decaffeinated Aspects:
- The romance between Jack and Caroline is fully fleshed out and developed slowly. Normally this is a good thing and to a point, it was but after a while, I started skimming. I loved that they developed a strong relationship but the getting to know each other slowed down the story. Conversations on books they liked, plays, and movies became overkill. While the synopsis clearly states Dissident focuses mostly on their romance I ultimately ended up skimming through some of their tete-a-tetes . I would have liked the romance slimmed down for more chapters in the present. Maybe in book two I will appreciate the depth but I wanted more action.
- This is a six-book commitment and the books must be read in order. I am hoping we get more depth from the dystopian angle in future books. As a romance despite some heated moments I am not invested enough. However, the present day situation really drew me in.
- While the book has been edited, I personally felt the book would have benefited from being more balanced between past and present day.
Dissident had its pros and cons. I am truly curious about the present day world and will explore the next book in the series.
About Kimberly
Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. BlueSky | Facebook | Instagram
Lindy
Dissident sounds like an okay read. While I enjoy a slow burning romance where two characters really get to know each other, it needs to be balances with more action in the plot. I enjoy the dystopian genre, and can see where you would want more of a balance between getting scenes from the past and present.
Megan McDade
This sounds like a really intriguing book. Dystopian worlds I never tend to like but the polictal angle I am intrigued by. I agree a slow burn romance is good but when it’s really slow it does get annoying.
Paij Slater
That cover is fantastic! I don’t know about getting into a new series yet…..I have a commitment issue here. 😉
Ro
I love the cover, too, and while the story sounds really interesting, a book has to really grab me right away in order to keep up with a series of 6. I’ll put this one on my list. Loved your review! Hugs…
Berls
Hmmm on the fence, especially considering it’s a six book commitment. I’ll see how you like the next few before deciding if it’s for me – I definitely see potential!
Bookworm Brandee
I was thinking this sounded familiar but didn’t recognize the cover. So I googled. 😉 I liked the original cover better. The premise also hooked me. I hope the second in the series has the balance you’re talking about. If it’s a dystopian, you’d think more focus would be on that than the romance. I may hold off on reading it until you review the second in the series. 🙂
Laurel-Rain Snow
Sounds interesting, despite the issues. Thanks for sharing!
Angela Adams
Thanks for the post!
Melissa (Books and Things)
Read in order? Me? LOL At first I was thinking these were novellas and I hate serials but having full length novels are different. I can also see why you started to skim. We don’t need to know every detail but enough to bring them together. Brilly review!
Ramona
Interesting, although, as you also noted, six books is a big commitment indeed. Funny about the overkill in the romance department 🙂 It’s such a fine line there when it comes to the right balance… Still, I guess points for effort are in order 🙂
Candace
I hadn’t heard of this one yet. I like that it’s a slow burn romance. I’m a bit burnt out on dystopian reads but maybe one day….
Keionda
That’s messed up that this one didn’t do it for you. I understand there being really slow moments when all you really wanted was some good action. I do agree that the cover is GORGEOUS! It Def caught my eye. And I’m a series girl all the way. I don’t like reading standalones so the fact that there’s more in this series definitely makes me want to dive in. 😉
Heidi
Hmmm… sounds like this one needs a bit of polish. I hope the next book is a better read for you with more action and less talk.
Debbie Haupt
Great, in depth and very informative review Kim, you know I have a love hate relationship with many a first in a new series book, the author has to balance on a fine line of not giving too much away and keeping her audience interested enough for round two. It sounds like she did that for you even though you had some problems with the read. This is why this is always my first stop on a book buying trip.
Debbie Haupt
ps. I love the cover
Rosa
I had never heard about this book and after reading your review, I don’t think I will read it. And I think the cover needs an upgrade.
kindlemom1
I do love the suspense part of this story Kim, I might have to think about this one more and see about reading it. 😉 Great review!
Lanie
I was pretty interested in this book till you mentioned it’s so unbalanced between past and present. I’m not a fan of flashbacks in stories or the swapping of timelines.
Karen Blue
That cover is gorgeous! It sounded kind of good, but a 6 book commitment is too much for me.
Nick
6 books!?
I don’t think I could handle all that mostly because I have such a lousy memory and tend to forget things so easily.
I’m glad that despite some of the decaffeinated aspects of the book you were able to enjoy this, Kim!
Lovely review!
Tyler H Jolley
Kimba, you always give such balanced reviews. I truly admire your grace in reviewing.
tonyalee
I had a hard time with the dialog too! I really enjoyed this one too and I am curious as to the events that lead us to the ending of this one. 🙂 Great review lady
jaye marie
This sounds like one hell of a committment…six parts and all linking. Your review is interesting, just enough of a question to make you want to read them, and the cover is amazing. It’s on my TR list…
blodeuedd
Maybe balance will come later…
Melliane
It’s nice to have a slow romance but sometimes it’s just too much… However I love the case that it’s a mix of present and past. thanks for the review.