The year: 2157 The mission: change everythingThe Unit: Democratic State Force Base 1407 Call handle: The WildcardsSeven Corporations control what was the United States of America. The food supply and its production is controlled by American AgCo. All agricultural seeds in the United States have been genetically designed to fail outside Corporate control.At least, that’s what the Corporations say. control.
At least, that’s what the Corporations say.
There’s a rumor that a seed bank has survived the destabilization that brought down old America, and the seventy-five years of Corporate ownership that followed. If it still exists, it would provide free, accessible food for the Democratic State Force and everyone in their care. It’s a risky hunt for a treasure that may or may not exist. Something to put the most resourceful team in the Force to work on. The Wildcards just got the call.
A hunt for hidden treasure.
Free food.
What could go wrong?
Never ask that question. Life’s a bitch. She’ll answer.
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This was one of the best books I’ve read this year. With the fast pace of a Fast & The Furious Movie, the story zips and jerks around, grabbing your attention and holding on tight. My goodness, this dystopian series really gets better and better, confronting everything from trans -phobia to crop growing in a frighteningly corporate based Republic.
We rejoin The Wildcats, the most successful underground Democratic paramilitary group in the former USA, and they are ready for their next mission. They made critical dents in the corporate world thus far, and the powers in charge are on their tale. But the opportunity to get seeds to grow their own food is too good to let go.
Now this is so meaningful in this day and age. I know from endless Science shows that there is a global seed bank in Norway, guarded fiercely. Imagine the world we know imploding from famine and poverty. The seed vault would become vital. So this is how the Wildcats feel. Reading how they put together a plan is riveting. Each character seems to have genuine respect for each other, and therefore the blueprints of the plan come together.
The characters are all well rounded, with this particular book centering on Aiden, Kevin, Tweak, Naomi mostly. This series has been the first one I’ve ever read that has trans characters that were important to the plot, and not just filler. The issues have been dealt with dignity, but this book has some particularly heartbreaking scenes. But reading them is paramount. Just like the current protesting climate against police brutality on black people, this book sheds light on what could easily happen.
“”First, there was the Destabilization. Four presidents assassinated in fifteen years, gridlock, the democratic system breaking down. Then the Great Shutdown. Eleven months without a government. The Dissolution. The Corporations stepped in to protect their people and their profits over the next ten years. That was the Incorporation. Then the Morality Decisions started being handed down, along with the Eagle Eye acts and the Secure Liberty decrees. They started watching what we bought, what we said, what games we played, what we wrote and who we talked to, in order to weed out ‘radical fringe elements’ ‘dissenting anarchists’ ‘morally unfit persons’ and the all time favorite, ‘terrorists.’ Soon enough, there were the corporate morality trials. And today, the news is full of arrests and threat reports and trials. Have you noticed why?” he asked, voice unnervingly calm, like a teacher giving a lesson. Ezra shrugged again, staring at his meal. “Don’t particularly care, if I’m honest.”“Kev,” Aidan began, but Kevin went right on, eyeing their companion coldly. “Most people don’t. Because what does it matter compared to how you’re going to eat tomorrow and when your rent is due?” he asked rhetorically. “But that’s the problem. You see, they’ve given you an enemy to hate. They’ve given you something to fear and to fight; the perverse, the Other. Because what does it matter that there are no more civil rights, that shareholders and corporations run our lives, when there’s threats out there? Threats like two girls in love or someone planting apple trees.” he affected an expression of sarcastically exaggerated horror. “And of course, that’s what you focus on, these horrible crimes that the media keeps telling you about. Because while you’re fighting the terrorists and the immigrants and the ‘fags’, you’re not thinking. And if you ever had the time to start thinking, you might wonder why it’s illegal to collect rainwater, why groundwater has a twenty percent tax on it, why there’s no such thing as upward mobility in the culture we’ve got and absolutely no way for us to make legitimate complaints. You might start noticing the bars on your cage, if you weren’t given something ‘better’ to fret over.””
It’s a huge quote but I felt it was important to highlight it for readers. The author shows high intellect and insight in this novel, while giving us thrills that make the story unputdownable. It’s a huge achievement. Start on book one of you have to, but this book tells me that Tearmann has so much more to say about the world, politics and standing up for what you believe in.
The Wildcards are at again, this time their going after seeds and Adrian’s having his surgery at last!! What will this team do in order to get everything that is needed, they create mayhem that’s what they do best!!
The feels in this book has you sitting in the edge of your seat the whole time!!
Aces and Eights
(Aces High, Jokers Wild Book 4)
by O. E. Tearman
Aces and Eights is an incredible action-packed adventure story taking place in an alternate universe, filled with dictatorships and freedom fighters, which is one intense, roller coaster of emotions. Combining the suspense of a thriller and the ongoing development of the relationship between the characters.
Characters are well developed and have great relationships, supporting and believing in each other. The diversity of the characters is invigorating and beautiful, in the futuristic world the author has created. The characters are easy to like more than I ever expected, and I am so glad to have given them a try; not my normal genre to read. O. E. Tearmann has created a captivating and exciting series which will not disappoint the readers. A book that takes a bit of a different track, deals with human sexuality and LBGT themes, which makes this book not suitable for all ages.
I recommend this book and this series; each can be read as a stand-alone but make better sense if read as a series. I was gifted a copy to read and am posting my personal thoughts and feelings about this book and the authors writing talents. Receiving a 4-star rating
This is part of a future apocalypse prevention series, where the hot-shot team in space just happens to be a fruit basket of different sexualities and abilities. There is very little actual sex, so I would consider is suitable for YA. This volume contains a ‘meet-cute’ pairing and a good news for main couple event, plus discovery of a hidden seed bank that will feed the human race, hopefully.
Sadly there is also very little action or suspense. What the series principally features is hope in the face of the Abyss of Unconquered Space. Team of Nerd-Geeks is our greatest hope; they don’t fit your comic book hero molds but so what?
Celebrates difference, hoping to mainstream it. Not sure what it all has to do with playing cards.
Aces and Eights is the 4th and latest book in this series. This one had me saying “No No No!” And stressing the biggest part of the book. After Aidan gets his last surgery to make his body into his true self he and Kevin find they’re in a boatload of trouble. Their latest mission is to find a cache of seeds that have not been genetically altered that has been hidden for hundreds of years. Liza is in charge of the base, Janice is cussing, shy and abused Billie likes Gopher and he likes her, Naomi us furious at being left behind and Tweak is freaking and trying to figure a way to help Susan and Kevin. This series is so good and you don’t want to miss out on the Wildcards’ latest adventure.
Book 4 in the series is full of danger and troubles, and the stakes are even higher than before. If you like military futuristic/dystopian books, you’ll be able to sink right into this series! I like covert government mission fiction, and this series has been wonderful, with the return of a great group of characters, an oddball family of sorts, who all somehow make it work. They have each other’s backs in a good versus evil battle to the end. Aidan… I’m still so sad for him. But with Kevin by his side, I think everything will be okay. Good scenes, gritty toughness, good romance, and a heart-pounding story!
Where to even begin!! This series has been one intense ride after another. The Wildcards are a ragtag team, but more than that, a family. You can see it and feel it, in their interactions with each other.
In this fourth installment of the Aces High Jokers Wild series, the stakes are just as high, but reach a more personal level, with danger being more intimate.
The diversity of the characters is refreshing and beautiful to see, in this futuristic world, especially as they fight to make things better. I love seeing their relationships develop and grow, especially Tweak.
I’ve grown rather fond of all these characters, throughout the series…more than I ever expected, but so glad I gave them a try. With all the feels, and roller coaster of emotions in this book, I cannot wait to see what happens next with this beloved team/family.
Bravo! Book 4 of this series is amazing. This author is a master in weaving together the characters, their history and relationships, the missions and their interations with other friendly forces and the enemy. into an exciting and action pact novel. Great addition of the pagan community, Coomb Olwen, the keepers of the seeds, They showed that the healing of the soul and the spirit is an important part of healing the body. There are ups and downs but the Wildcards always worked together to succeed and protect their own. Looking forwards to reading more adventures of the Wildcards.