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
4.5 stars
Calico Descending takes us once again into a dark, depressing and dangerous world. Those in charge are experimenting with human lives and I find myself thinking yet again that death is the route I would rather travel but then Keri shows us a small flicker of life and I think that’s why humans have the instinct to live. The ending broke my heart but the wait is short and the conclusion Kings of Carrion will be released soon.
***ARC Provided by Author***
4.5 stars
All her life, Calithea only knew a world where everything was volatile. Being a subject in the Alpha project at Calico means a minor privilege but still won’t save her from Valdys, one of the most dangerous Alphas in the facility. With his questionable humanity, she must find a way to survive or become just another casualty of the broken world they lived in.
I read Juniper Unraveling (book 1) a long time ago and it was good going back into the world. This time around, the story focused on the people from the other side.
Calithea and Valdys were both victims of power and desperation. I sympathized with both of them with what they had been subjected to. I liked him but I wanted to know more of his background to feel more for him and the connections between them as a couple.
What I loved the most about this book was the world they lived in. I enjoyed all those experiments and the humanity factors of the story. That’s why Cadmus is my favorite character in this book. I also loved how the author didn’t hold any punches in portraying the dark and violent nature of their living situation.
Calico Descending examines the characters’ defiance and the will to survive. It would appeal to readers who enjoy a dark dystopian romance.
Received ARC from Author for Honest Review.
I will give this Book a 4.5/5 Star Rating, Listing as 5.
Holy Cow what a cliffhanger!
I can’t wait to see what the heck is going to happen next!
I love this Universe!
It’s so dark & unforgettable!
I completely recommend reading this!
I Will Not Give Spoilers!
Cliffhanger(?): Yes! 😀 So Glad it’s not Over!
Romance: 3.5/5, Not bad! Not bad!
Heat: 4/5
Dark(?): Yes, 3.5/5
Suspense: 5/5
Drama: 5/5
I will most definitely read the sequel!
I always find Keri Lake’s writing so hypnotizing and I her writing is memorable.
Wow!!! mind blown completely if the first book managed to completely bowl me over this one blew me away with its sheer brilliance.
Calico Descending is book two in the series and it can technically be read as a stand-alone read as though it is set in the same world as its predecessor it involves a completely different set of characters, Saying that this series is just so good you most definitely want to read them all.
This is book one in a two-parter, I believe this concludes in December and I for one can’t wait for the conclusion here it was that good.
Genre-wise this is dark dystopian romance set in a post-apocalyptic future and it doesn’t pull its punches one little bit.
This was every bit as horrific as its predecessor with wicked and cruel intent throughout.
The cruelty and total depravity visited on these young adults and children completely shocking to experience, where humanity has evolved to the point it is devoid of all ethical morality and the lack of conscience observed here simply unimaginable.
This story is told in two separate time-frames the then and the now of four years later.
After the raid on her hive by Ragers and the death of her mother Fourteen-year-old Calithea along with her ten-year-old sister Bryani are left to fend for themselves until they are both tricked and captured and taken to the medical facility at Calico for processing.
This is the beginning of Cali’s story, placed in the Alpha program Cali is assigned to a champion (Valdys).
Her only function now a potential tool to control a powerful weapon, one who will do what he must to protect her from danger.
This wasn’t always easy reading with its dark themes but I was so emotionally invested in these tragically complex characters.
Imaginative and so original this story dug in its claws and infected me, it was one hell of an emotional rollercoaster and it deserves every one of its five-stars, I highly recommend this it was just so bloody amazing.
I voluntary reviewed a copy of Calico Descending (Juniper Unraveling, #2).
Reviewed By Beckie Bookworm
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Holy Smokes what a book!
Ms. Lake has brought to light a whole new world.
One which isn’t sunshine or rainbows.
No this world is dark,cruel and dangerous.
With vivid descriptions of the land,the surroundings and the going ons it’s hard to believe isn’t just imaginary.
Everything is told in such details and so specific it felt like I was there in this desolate land seeing what the characters are living through.
Calico is a vile horrific place.
Where the evil scientists rule over all.
They perform horrendous experiments on the people held there.
Lives are meaningless.
And everyone is dispensable.
Calithea is one of the prisoners being held at this despicable place.
She’s part of what’s called Alpha Project.
Valdys,Titus and Cadmus are also prisoners of this house of horrors.
They are the created Alphas.
Calithea does as she’s told.
She obeys and carries on for the sake of her sister.
Until one day she’s had enough.
Her and the alphas are about to turn Calico upside down.
But before that happens they are about to live through unimaginable destruction.
See more nightmares that there’s no waking up from.
And feel the true force of evil.
This book is so gripping.
So captivating and so engrossing.
I couldn’t put it down.
It had my heart thumping wildly and chewing my nails which I haven’t done in years!
Omg please Ms. Lake bring on the next book ASAP because that cliffhanger was jaw dropping!
– 4.5 stars –
Calico Descending is the sequel to one of my favorite reads of 2017: Juniper Unraveling. That stand-alone didn’t feel completely finished so I’m happy that Keri decided to dive into this dark dystopian/post-apocalyptic world again. Keri doesn’t hold back and really does a phenomenal job in creating another dark and gritty story. I love that it is unpredictable and really anything can happen at any time. Like the previous book this one had me in tears a couple of times. The author really takes risks and I think they paid off. This book focuses on a different set of characters, mainly Calithea, and the story is told from her POV. I loved the flashbacks that were included because it gave us her background information, and showed her character development. She already has gone through a lot and life is continuing to give her a very difficult time. When she is given to the Alpha Valdys, she doesn’t know what to expect. However, over time she understands that like her he doesn’t have a choice in the things that have been done to him or the things that he has to do to stay alive. She feels a connection to him and this grows stronger over time. Eventually they know that they need to escape the facility if they want to stay alive. However, it is easier said than done.
“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.”
This is a very strong and great sequel to Juniper Unraveling and I loved being back in the world Keri Lake has created. It sometimes is very difficult to read some scenes, but it also add to the atmosphere of a dystopian world. I was wishing for more scenes between Calithea and Valdys, however there is a sequel to their story, so I am hoping that we will get more of that in the next book. I also loved the two other Alphas Titus and Cadmus, I am especially intrigued by Cadmus who is a bit of an anti-hero with a lot of trauma. I really enjoyed learning more about the world and what is going on at the research facility. I am expecting even more action in the next book, and I am ready for it. I really look forward to what will happen in the next book, and how the characters will grow even more. This book like the previous one is very though-out and creativity of the author is amazing. The dystopian/post-apocalyptic dark romance genre is one of my favorites and unfortunately there aren’t many books in this particular subgenre.
This is book 2 in the series, and while it could be a stand-alone, many things won’t make sense and you won’t get the full context of this world or the characters unless you start with book 1, Juniper Unraveling.
I HIGHLY recommend you read this series.
I found it by accident and oh. MAN. This fed my dark little dystopian loving heart SO MUCH. This world is hideous and painful and just so hopeless in so many ways. Do not get overly attached to characters if you can help it. You will hate many things that happen and do violence to many of the characters. The world is in ruin, and even what’s thought to be a sanctuary, a hospital is a very dark place to be.
This story follows Cali and her journey from the Deadlands to Calico and her introduction to the Alpha Project – and Alphas Valdys, Titus and Cadmus. The storytelling is so lush and dense and incredible. Just fantastic.
This book had a bit faster pace and different feel than Juniper Unraveling, and I cannot wait for Kings of Carrion!