In a world of suffering and brutality, she’s the key to his humanity …I was fourteen when I was sold to the men in black uniforms. Too young to understand I served a purpose beyond that of the other girls they’d taken.For the greater good.Now, after four years in Calico, I’ve seen more death and suffering than during my days of surviving out in the Deadlands against the threat of Ragers and … the threat of Ragers and famine. I didn’t think this world could get any bleaker. Didn’t think it could take any more from me than it already had.
Not until I finally learned my purpose.
That same day, I walked the dark halls in the bowels of this hell, where the suffering is in silence, and ghosts of the dead whisper through the walls. A place where nightmares are real.
A place where I met my Champion—the most revered Alpha in S-Block—locked away in his dark cell.
For the greater good.
He’s their weapon, their only line of defense against the mistakes of the past: the mutations that could wipe out all of what’s left of us.
Me, I’m his whipping girl. His reward for good behavior.
And his punishment for acts of defiance.
Calico Descending is the follow up book to Juniper Unraveling, a full-length dystopian post apocalyptic romance.
SERIES READING ORDER:
Juniper Unraveling (Book 1)
Calico Descending (Book 2)
Kings of Carrion (Book 3)
more
Honestly, I wasn’t going to read this book. I was pretty satisfied with the happy for now ending I got for Wren and Six and when I found out this book wasn’t even about them, I didn’t see the point. But then I realized that I wasn’t quite done learning about this messed up world that Keri Lake created. For a woman who avoids everything remotely scary, for some reason, I can’t look away from this series. I’m truly hooked and so I took the dive back in and learned what I could about these new characters. Valdys, Camdus and Titus didn’t disappoint!
Calico is no Wonderland. It’s a place full of corrupt and immoral people doing evil things to their own kind
more twisted and disgusting experiments
I got to know more about the Alpha program. For every scar that marked their bodies, I thought of all that Six had to live through
I couldn’t get enough of Valdys and would have given my left boob (the largest) to get his perspective in this story
I didn’t like Cali. She didn’t endear herself to me and although I was sympathetic to her losses and to her abuse, it wasn’t enough to make me care about her. The fact that she was the narrator and I was still able to love this story is a testament to this author’s talent. It didn’t hurt that the men of her creation were so intriguing!
So much didn’t happen for a lot of this book and yet so much did happen. The connections that grew between these characters was almost tangible, I’m not a fan of the convenient plot device introduced (estrous) because it took away rather than added to the strength of this story, but it wasn’t enough to make me turn away. I also didn’t like that Cali was THE ONE for everyone. Really? And from what I’ve gathered from the reviews for Kings of Carrion, which I do intend to read, it only gets worse. Please, please, somebody please tell me that it gets better. I don’t want to dislike Cali anymore than I already do.
No one does dystopia quite like Keri Lake. She’ll wreck your heart and still leave you clinging to that sliver of hope. I devoured Juniper Unraveling and Calico Descending.
This book is spectacular….everyone needs to experience the horrors and the dark beauty of this world. It’s raw, it’s gritty, and it’s full of love and survival…this is by far one of the best books I’ve ever read <3
So much pain, loss, inspiration, and perseverance in these pages. I’m so invested in this gruesome world and the characters who bring it to life. The writing is imaginative, provocative, sensual, and magical. I highly recommend this series.
Life gave him those scars, but for some strange reason, I suddenly want to be the one who heals them. I want to crawl inside his darkness and illuminate the parts that have never felt the warmth of the light.
WOW! This is one of those books I couldn’t stop thinking about since the very first time I heard it was going to be written!! I simply love this world!
When I finished Juniper Unraveling in 2017, I was riding a book high. I named it my favorite read of 2017. So when Keri Lake announced a follow-up book — “Calico Descending”, I was both thrilled and terrified. Because OMGEEE a follow-up to this amazing book what could be better? and OMGEEE what if it doesn’t measure up? No, really! Would it MEASURE UP?! Let me assure you, Calico Descending surpassed my expectations. It left me in a puddle of tears, feeling broken and shredded. I’m a little freaked out right now that I have to wait for the release of the next book to read how this ends.
He is pain and agony wrapped in fire, but his hands and lips are sheer bliss. I won’t stand by and let this place destroy him. This is my silent vow, a promise I will keep to myself. No matter the cost, I won’t let them hurt Valdys.
I can’t.
He’s the flame that burns inside of me, the single spark that ignites my soul.
The story smartly unfolds as it flips between past and present. Keri Lake slowly guides you through the incidents of the past to catch you up with the present. We learn about Cali’s mother and sister, what happened to them and how they ended up at the “hospital”. I think this was so important as it laid the foundation for why and how Cali gained her strength.
She is the breath of air, when you’re drowning. The warmth on your skin, when the world feels colder. The sun that draws the universe into her embrace.
Truth be told, this dystopian world is eerie and unsettling. My heart raced while I caught myself holding my breath, as I waited to find out what happened next.
Cali, Neela, Roz, Valdys, Titus and Cadmus — Oh, my aching heart. What absolutely stunning characters! They were so cleverly written.
If you’re looking for a heart-wrenching, mesmerizing, character-driven dystopian love story, you have got to add Calico Descending and the Juniper Unraveling series to your TBR!
But time and love
are criminals who spare no one — not even the most desiring. Time is the thief who comes in the night, silently chipping away at the present. And love is the killer of hearts.
This was another fascinating book written by Keri. This brutal world that these characters face is unrelenting and fierce. It’s a tale of survival and love to a new group of characters that will keep you holding your breath until the very end. The series is becoming one of my favorites!
I am loving this series so much! Calico Descending is INTENSE. It’s dark and brutal and just my favorite kind of level of darkness. I also love a broody, damaged hero and these alphas are perfection!
I didn’t realize when I started this book that it would be a new couple. I never read blurbs haha! I’m loving how this series is progressing and I can’t wait to see what happens next. I’m hoping all the characters are going to come together in the next book.
This series is quickly becoming my favorite dark apocalyptic series…it truly is a masterpiece like no other! I can’t devouring these books fast enough! They’re all-consuming! I’m losing much sleep over these books, but I regret nothing;)
I loved this book even more than the first book. CALICO DESCENDING is a continuation of the Juniper Unraveling world, but it revolves around a new couple: Cali and Valdys. I LOVED the animalistic nature Keri brought to this story. It makes this book world more fantasy/”supernaturalish”. The connection between Cali and Valdys is more than chemical, it’s in their DNA and it’s irresistible. They were designed for each other and that connection leapt off the page! I can’t get over how perfectly Keri delivers these love stories within this apocalyptic world. Again, the romance in this book was a bonus to the story itself. Keri built on to the Juniper Unraveling world with this book and added another couple to the devastation, gruesomeness, loss, and pain. How, in spite of the ugly, the pain and the suffering this place breeds, we find solace in each other. We find light in the darkness of this world. I loved all the main characters in this book!
If you read book 1 in this series, you DEFINITELY want to read this book. I can’t wait to read what happens next!!
5 stars
After reading Juniper Unraveling, I was hooked. I had to read the next book in this mesmerizing series! And this book is incredible. This time the story focuses on a young girl, Calithea and what happens to her. The world she lives in is unlike any other. She lives in fear for her life every single day unless she does what she’s told. When she finds out her purpose, she is terrified to say the least. Then she meets Valdys. She feels like she knows him somehow, but that’s impossible. He is there for a reason and somehow she’s a part of it.
This story takes you on a journey that is not for the feint of heart, and yet, I loved everything about it. These characters will somehow ingrain themselves into your very heart and soul. As with Juniper Unraveling, you won’t put this book down. I felt a jumble of emotions and felt every terror, anger, sadness, lust and if even possible, love. Now I can’t wait to read the next book in this mind blowing series.
Absolutely dark and disturbingly brilliant!
What a superb follow on to Juniper Unravelling. Although set mostly within the confines of Calico, it was absolutely gripping from the start. I am loving this and am totally invested in this captivating, thrilling series!
The depravity and cruelty within the walls of Calico know no bounds, where the lines are very very blurred as to who the real monsters are!
The post apocalyptic world Keri Lake has created is brutal, violent and downright scary, but within that darkness there is still courage, hope, loyalty and the smallest chink of light and love that can only grow bigger and more beautiful as it goes.
There is so much emotion in this story, I’ve gone through it all from anger, shock, heartache and hope. Cali and three of the fiercest alphas she is experimented on with, Valdys, Titus and Cadmus, are going to steal a piece of your heart like they did mine. Alpha project might just break you too, but this book is worth every bit of pain, it’s simply brilliant! I’m going straight on to book three, especially after that ending!!
5 huge, beautiful dark stars
A dark dystopian romance filled with non-stop action and preservance! This story will have you uncomfortable and needy for more. A mix of Residential Evil with a dash of Gladiator.
“Give a man a weapon, and he may kill for you. Give him purpose, and he’ll kill without question.”
Juniper Unraveling was a mind-twister! This is the second book, which I believe coincides with the first book, yet features a different couple. This world is dark, unrelenting, unpredictable. The characters are tormented, scarred and broken, yet their connection is unique and unexpected. Brutal and beautiful! If you’ve read Omegaverse, this book has some of the same qualities. But it’s not. I don’t want to spoil anything.
Experiments, zombie-like creatures, action, suspense, and dark romance. Seriously, what’s not to like? I can’t wait to see what’s in store for these guys.
A jewel of a book!
3.5 stars
I’m a big fan of Keri Lake. I’ve read some of her books in the past and loved every minute of it. She has such a way with words that she just makes you feel as if you are living the lives of the characters right along side them. That being said. Unfortunately this book just was not for me. I could not connect with the characters like I usually do. I didn’t like going back and forth between the past and the present each chapter. I felt as if we should have been led up to the present. Although this book was not my cup of tea. I encourage everyone to read and to form their own opinion. – By Vanessa
5 STARS
My goodness SHE DID IT AGAIN.
I lapped this book up in under 24 hours and enjoyed every single bit. Like in the first book, Keri does not spare words when it comes to this gruesome world and everything that happens in it. She keeps it true like a real champ and I can never convey how much I admire that.
Keri’s heroines are quickly becoming my absolute favorites. Just like Wren, Calithea is a strong lady who is ready to risk it all for her love. I’m truly touched by the way hers and Valdys’s love story is written; it’s so real, so visceral, at times I felt like I was going to burst. Also; Cadmus, Titus and Valdys own my heart.
Love that is against all the odds, unbelievable friendship bonds (I’m actually crying about this tidbit), a world in a universe of its own.
This series is a must read, people. I will bet all my money that you will never read anything this unique and amazing. I guarantee you that.
So yet again, here I am, thanking Keri about this book and praying that Kings of Carrion hurries up to me!
I loved this sequel! I can’t get enough of this dystopian world and its depraved evil versus the innate goodness in us. There’s darkness and turmoil, but there’s also beauty and hope. It’s timeless and so provocatively written, bringing out all those dark emotions. I am so utterly enthralled!
After falling into a slight book funk – this one has awaken my book love again!!!
O.M.G. Holy shit – I cannot get enough of this series. Hot damn, Keri!!
Calico Descending is the sequel to Juniper Unraveling. You MUST read Juniper Unraveling in order to fully understand this post apocalyptic, dystopian world. While Calico Descending focuses on a whole new set of characters, Juniper Unraveling gives you all the details and world building that you need to fully grasp this book.
Keri really knows how to deliver a dark, dangerous and gritty story inside a world that you can’t begin to describe in your worst nightmares. The story goes back and forth between past and present from Cali’s view until the views meet up to the present day. In her present views we meet three Alphas – Cadmus, Titus and Valdys. They are all a key to what is going on inside Calico.
I was just as drawn and ensnared with this book as I was the first one. It is a dark, twisted, creepy and very unsettling post apocalyptic world with characters that will grip you. I was honestly one edge the entire time reading this book. I couldn’t put it down and couldn’t stop thinking about it. It is that addicting.
I cannot praise this story enough. Even if you don’t think this genre is your thing, give it go. Be warmed, it is very detailed and gruesome at times, but that is what makes it so damn good too.
Keri delivers another jaw-dropping story that truly sinks its claws into. It also makes you wonder what our world would truly be like should we ever face a post apocalyptic world.
This is by far my favorite Dystopian read this year.
Great world building, with a unique take on Dystopian
Romance. For such a harsh world that Cali is living in,
she hopes that somehow everything she has survived so
far will be worth it in the long run. There’s her Champion
Valdys from the Alpha Project, and Cadmus, and Titus,
which she doesn’t know anything about other than that
they are genetically enhanced not only to fight the Dredge
Contagion but maybe be the cure for it. I really enjoyed
reading this book, so many twists and turns. Things
definitely don’t go the way you’d expect then to. It keeps
you any the edge of your seat all the way through.
What a horrifying thrill ride! Terrific second story in a fantastic dark dystopian series. The world building is terrific but certainly cringeworthy. What those young people went through is beyond words. This does show the indomitably spirit of mankind. There’s light to all that dark in the form of the wonderful Cali as she fights to maintain her humanity and compassion in the face of evil. She is a fabulous heroine along with her Alpha, Valdys and Titus and I even liked Cadmus. I don’t know how those guys held onto any semblance of humanity but I guess that’s what Cali was for. This really could be read as a standalone but you would miss some of the background from Juniper. I think this followed about the same timeline as the first book since one of the villain is alive. It was a little confusing for me and I missed not seeing the survivors from the first story. At the end this sort of sets up as a reverse harem story especially with that jaw dropping ending. What now? I can’t wait for the next installment! I voluntarily reviewed an ARC. 4.5 stars
4.5 STARS REVIEW
Dark Sci Fi Romance, Dystopian, Futuristic, Post-Apocalyptic
First Person, female-POV
This is book #2 of the Juniper Unraveling series, happening at the same time, in the same setting of the first book. This story ends in a huge cliffhanger.
WHAT HAS REALLY WORKED FOR ME
Addictiveness: 5/5 Like the first book, this is a thriller that grabbed me from the first page and it kept me on the edge of my seat until the end. It was not an easy read, due to it being dark, filled with angst and cruelty. As addictive as chocolate!!!
Character: hero 5/5, heroine 5/5, secondary characters 5/5, growth 5/5, real 5/5 Multidimensional characters with depth and amazing backstories. They were easy to love, connect and understand.
Calithea was another wonderful character. Ms. Lake really knows how to write kickass, empowering heroines. Like Dani, Cali was taken to Calico when she was 14 years old. Differently than what happened to Dani, by the time Cali was taken they are already keeping women at Calico that served several different purposes. Cali has been reserved to mate with a Champion, the powerful man-weapon that was strong enough to scare Ragers, fight marauders and anything else needed. Because of her important role, she was kept well, with privileges, untouched for her Champion. When she turned 18 years old, she was ready to be given to her Champion as a gift, but if he didn’t behave, she would also be a punishment. Nothing she has learned during her four years of tests, exams and preparation prepared her for reality.
It was a process becoming acquainted with her Champion, it took time, courage and will for her to do it, but after a while she found in him her salvation. In a place where all you know is pain, hunger, darkness, fear, to find… to find attraction, likeness, love… is beyond anything she could ever dream.
At the same time meeting Valdys was an unexpected gift, she saved him from becoming a monster. Calithea’s humanity, warmth, strength gave him an anchor in reality and something to look forward to. Cali was extraordinary. She never gave up and always tried her best. She was able to keep having empathy for others, even after meeting the worst of humanity. She not only wanted a better future for herself, but for everybody that have been forced into that shameful life.
Valdys was a great hero. After everything he went through to be able to be sweet, loving and caring was exceptional. His protective nature was part of him, even before experiments and becoming a monster for Calico. He was very strong and able to keep his rationality even though Calico tried to turn him into an irrational animal. He was a good friend to Titus and after getting Cali, he was the best boyfriend possible.
Champions like Valdys, were there to fight, protect and procreate. They were built into the perfect machine and also they carry the hope of the scientists at Calico.
So many important secondary characters here. I will name the two most important, Titus and Cadmus there other two Champions. They probably will get a book of their own, because the also deserve to tell their stories. Besides them there were others like Roys, Kenny, Neela and Cali’s sister.
Villains.. antagonists… like in the first book, it is hard to say who is friend or who is foe in this dark world of pain, cruelty and “save yourself, because no one else will”. But they are mostly the same villains from the first book, with a few different antagonists.
In a really screw up way, specially if you had read the first book and know their backstory, all characters were easy to love, connect and understand!!!
Cover: art 5/5, title 5/5, color-font 5/5, buy 5/5 I’m obsessed with book covers. I love to find snippets of the stories within the art. I love the art for this series we can see they have been taught out specifically for these stories. They are usually an important moment or scene from the book. We can see Cali on the cover, under the lake, with a sad, sort of painful look on her face. It totally gives the tone of the book. I also love the title, the subtitle and color/font used. I would definitely buy this book by its cover without needing to read the blurb!!!
Freshness: 5/5 This book is UNIQUE! Everything in this book feels original and fresh. The way the author explored pain, disease and the making of a family was uncommon. As fresh as cold water in the middle of the desert!!!
Plot: believable 5/5, conflict 5/5, dialogue 5/5, ending 3/5, enjoyment 5/5, opening 5/5, pace 5/5, setting 5/5, subplots 3/5, twists 5/5 Electrifying opening with a big cliffhanger at the end. Believable plot, even though a bit convoluted, well written dialogues and sometimes confusing subplots. Long novel with perfect pace and a very well conceived setting. Several plot twists with a major conflict. High level of enjoyment!
This book was shorter than the first, but the plot was a bit more complicated. I mean, the story of the Champions and how they got them a mate was confusing at times. Also, even though I know is usually necessary, I don’t have to like cliffhangers lol.
Romance: believable 5/5, chemistry 5/5, description 5/5, development 5/5, steam 3/5 The romance was hot and sweet at the same time. Their chemistry was undeniable and they had been made for each other. They even had a bit of competition. The smut was HOT HOT HOT and the love was easy to feel. Enduring Love!!!
Writing Style: 4.5/5 The writing once again was fascinating with marvelous characters, stunning plot, wonderful romance and awesome smut. There are several things that need to be answered still and a huge cliffhanger. Crafty writing!!!!
WHAT COULD HAVE BEEN BETTER
I will say again, I wish I had at least a couple of chapters with the male-POV, I would to know him as well as I know Calithea.
Also I think the subplots and the whole 3 champions, 1 mate thing was a bit confusing. I’m certain it all will make sense after the next book and I cannot wait to read it.
MY THOUGHTS
This series is an ONE-OF-A-KIND experience. It is different and original and it felt like nothing I have read before.
I love all the characters and I hate all the villains lol. I cry for and with them, I feel like punching some people and I hurt for them. I’m at times an emotional wreck while reading it and others I’m a very happy cat.
Can’t wait for the next book!!!
33/35 STARS – 4.5 STARS (between 31.5 stars and 33stars)
Addictiveness: 5 Character: 5 Cover: 5 Freshness: 5 Plot: 4 Romance: 4.5 Writing Style: 4.5
Action 5/5 Angst 5/5 Darkness 5/5 Humor 0/5 Romance 5/5 Suspense/Mystery 4/5
Would I recommend? Definitely, but not for everyone. This is dark and sometimes it feels hopeless.
Would I re-read this book/series? Yes!
Would I read more from the author? I will definitely stalk her and see what other books she has!!!
You MAY read this because you’ve read the first book; you SHOULD read this because you like sci fi romance; you MUST read this because it breaks, but it mends!
So, It’s been awhile since I have been dropped into this world. I knew from the get go this story was’ t going to be chocolates and flowers. The main characters, Cali and Valdys, were real characters. They fought. They bled. They stuck together when times got real rough. The world, which the author created, was hellish. The world lacked any trace of humanity. And if there was some, it was only found in small doses through a select number of people. The ending threw me for a loop. I’m holding onto hope until the next installment.