by Rebecca Zanetti
Series: The Scorpius Syndrome #3
Genres: Romantic Suspense, Post-Apocalyptic
Source: Publisher
Purchase*: Amazon *affiliate
Heat Level:
Before surviving the Scorpius bacterium, Tace Justice was a good ole Texas cowboy who served his country and loved his mama. After Scorpius, the world became dark, dangerous, and deadly... and so did he. The Vanguard medic is stronger, faster, and smarter than before, but he's lost the line between right and wrong. His passion is absolute, and when he focuses it on one woman, there's no turning back for either of them.
Sami Steel has been fighting to survive right alongside Tace, convincing the Vanguard soldiers she's one of them. In truth, Sami is a former hacker turned government agent who worked at The Bunker, where scientists stored both contaminants and cures. Only she knows the location, and she's not telling. Yet when sexual fire explodes between her and Tace, she'll face even that hell again to save him.
Justice Ascending by Rebecca Zanetti is the fourth book in the Scorpius Syndrome series. This is a post-apocalyptic romantic suspense set in Los Angeles. Justice Ascending shares Sami Steel the group’s lone female soldier’s romance with Tace Justice a former soldier and cowboy from Texas. Heat, suspense, ARC progression and a heartwarming romance kept me flipping the pages in search of an HEA.
Post-apocalyptic and dystopian series always fascinating me. When you mix in alpha males, brilliant women, and suspense I begin to drool. The overall ARC to the Scorpius Syndrome series has held my attention from the beginning. While a virus that killed most of the population and changed the behavior of others is nothing new, Zanetti has added some fresh twists and made it her own. I liken it to Mira Grant’s Newsflesh or Parasite world. Just mix in delicious romances. Each book deals with one member of Vanguard’s compound and their romance. There are several threads in the overall ARC from a zealot preacher to a frantic search for a secret government facility that may hold the cure to the Scorpius virus. While these could be read as standalone, I strongly recommend reading them in order. Not sure if this is for you? Begin with the novella, Scorpius Rising.
Sami Steel has been a favorite character of mine since the beginning. As the only female soldier, she is demanding of herself. She is tough as nails with an unspoken grace. Steel has been hiding secrets about her past and it was cool discovering who she really was pre-Scorpius. Tace Justice, a former soldier, and Texan has recently survived infection from the virus. With it comes changes both in personality and behavior some of which he hides from the group. He has always been attracted to his partner and I delighted to see him make a move. I loved their partnership, friendship, and the romantic development. It felt genuine as Zanetti allowed me to connect and experience a range of emotions from laughter to tears.
The story had us visiting the Mercs compound, dealing with issues within the Vanguard compound. In addition, we had exciting discoveries that will have an impact on the overall arc going forward. Zanetti is a powerful storyteller and she threaded these tales together creating a story the ebbed and flowed between nail-biting battle scenes, humor and romance. Dealings with the Mercs proved interesting as the beginning of relationships developed. We were teased with them just enough to have us eager for more.
If you are a fan of romantic suspense and post-apocalyptic tales and haven’t tried Justice Ascending and the Scorpius Syndrome series I highly recommend them.
Justice Ascending by Rebecca Zanetti delivered another exciting installment in the Scorpius Syndrome series. Share on X
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
Dani Chapman
I just finished this book! I have been enjoying this series and I can’t wait to see what happens next! 🙂
Melanie Simmons
I just started this series with book one (review posts on RR this weekend). I had been holding out to see if it would get picked up by an audio publisher. Decided that I couldn’t wait any longer. Glad to see it is still going strong in book three. 🙂
Lover Of Romance
I really like this sub genre in romance but haven’t read that much in it. But I adore this author so I have no idea why I haven’t picked this series up yet. But you convinced me how much I need it.
kimbacaffeinate
Happy reading! Glad to hear you love this author
Rowena
I have a friend who is all about this series so it’s on my wish list. Great review!
kimbacaffeinate
Your friend is cool *winks*
The Bibliophile Babe
I’ve been in the mood for apocalyptic, so I’ll definitely have to check this one out!
kimbacaffeinate
Sweet. I love the setting.
Sophia Rose
I was excited to get Tace’s story, but even more enthusiastic that it was Sami’s, too. All along she was keeping secrets and I was dying to get in on what that was about.
Whew! Another exciting one that has me back to eager for the next book. Nice review!
kimbacaffeinate
I loved her secret!
Lampshade Reader
Ooo I have not read an post apocalyptic romance yet. Will have to keep this series in mind! Great review! ~Aleen
kimbacaffeinate
I love this type of setting.
Tyler H. Jolley
I agree, post-apocalyptic and dystopian books always hook me in too. I just can’t wrap my mind around something like that actually happening but I love reading about it.
kimbacaffeinate
Let us hope not, I need to get more coffee first.
Angela Adams
“Heat, suspense, ARC progression and a heartwarming romance kept me flipping the pages” — all good reasons to keep a reader glued to the pages. Thanks for the post.
kimbacaffeinate
Indeed!
Angela
I haven’t tried this series yet, but it does sound good. Thank’s for the review.
kimbacaffeinate
You are welcome Angela. I am enjoying this author.
Melissa (Books and Things)
Oh yea, this one is totally for me. I have the author on my must read list. Will have to remember to begin with the novella. Adding it to the never ending list now. 😀
kimbacaffeinate
I am so glad she is on your list of authors.
blodeuedd
Ohhh sounds good
kimbacaffeinate
It really was 🙂
Dragonfly
I’m SO happy to hear the series continue to be good. HOW DID I GET THREE books behind already??? SMH!!
kimbacaffeinate
Hehe..I have been there.
Mary Kirkland
That’s the second great review I’ve read for this one today.
kimbacaffeinate
Oh, I am glad others love it too Mary. Hope you try them.
Debbie Haupt
Oh this looks good and hasn’t been on my radar. Thanks Kim it is now! Love the review, post apocalyptic, returning characters all good things in a continuing series. Wish list bound 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
My thoughts exactly. Enjoy!
Lily B
damn, it’s been such a long time since I read a post-apocalypse book, it’s nice to see that the series has it’s own twist and turns.
kimbacaffeinate
This is good with a balance between the romance and suspense
Kristin
Ahhh! You really like this series! I’ve been eyeballing it for a while so I WILL that novella!! Awesome review and recommendation girl!!!
kimbacaffeinate
I do. I love the post-apocalyptic setting!
Cyn
This is new to me but I do love post-apocalyptic stories, romance and awesome alpha heroes! Glad this was a nice addiction to the series! Awesome review, Kim!
kimbacaffeinate
Thanks Cyn. I have been enjoying them, and like the suspense the world brings
Silvia
I’ve only only read the first instalment in her Blood Brothers series, but it seems like I should try this one since I really enjoy romantic suspense and post-apocalyptic tales!
kimbacaffeinate
I just discovered her and still have some back series to read. I own one of the brother type series. ..
Melliane
It’s always nice to have a book like that. I heard a lot about the author but haven’t tried the author
kimbacaffeinate
I hope you get to try her Melliane.