Aidan Headly never wanted to be the man giving orders. That’s fine with the Democratic State Force base he’s been assigned to command: they don’t like to take orders. Nicknamed the Wildcards, they used to be the most effective base against the seven Corporations owning the former United States in a war that has lasted over half a century. Now the Wildcards are known for creative insubordination, … insubordination, chaos, and commanders begging to be reassigned.
Aidan is their last chance. If he can pull off his assignment as Commander and yank his ragtag crew of dreamers and fighters together, maybe they can get back to doing what they came to do: fighting for a country worth living in.
Life’s a bitch. She deals off the bottom of the deck. But you play the hands you’re given.
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I loved how the author wrote this book and the Really quirky Characters in it! The Narrator did a Excellent job making the story so good I did not want to stop listening to get to my chores.
Warning: This book has M/Transgender relationship in it so if you do not accept this then I do not recommend you read or listen to this story. Otherwise I Highly Recommend this story and I am looking forward to the next book in this Series.
This book wasn’t what I expected but I have to admit I really enjoyed it. The Hands We’re Given is a futuristic dystopian story about survival however it’s also about romance, family and acceptance.
The world building in this novel was excellent as the author was very detailed in the description. There was a diverse cast of characters who you would love long before the story ends, however it was the close knit family feeling among the characters that makes them so relatable. There was MM romance where one of the characters is transgender (born a woman) and it was very much an eye opener as the author dealt with the insecurities of the characters. In addition the author did an excellent job portraying the honest emotions in the budding relationship between the two characters and brought out the emotional side of the story. I would highly recommend this novel to all lovers of dystopian and LGBTQ romances
This audiobook was narrated by Kirt Graves who did an excellent job with the story and was able to create unique, distinct voices for each of the characters. This really brought the story to life and I fully enjoyed listening to this narration.
Not what I’m used to but thought it was pretty good. I do like Aidan and Kevin. Full of detail and takes place in the future. I wouldn’t survive that era, I’d cause too much trouble, but not like Tweak, more like maybe Kevin lol. If you like mm futuristic books, you’ll like this one.
Exciting and full of adventure. I enjoyed this new dystopian cyber series. I haven’t read anything like it before and I have to say I really enjoyed it and loved the characters.
This is a very intriguing read that captured me right from the start. The Characters are like a close knit family. I love how the Author has brought the characters to life and the story to fruition. Its keeps you enthralled throughout the whole Audiobook, there are twists and turns everywhere. I find the characters fascinating, I love how the main guy gets on the level of his team. This is definitely right up there with the 100 and Hunger Games. I definitely recommend. Boththe Author and the Narrator really done a fantastic job.
Shauna Joesten
This book is long and slow and I really appreciated it,because the author took the time to do a detailed description of the post apocalyptic world the action takes place in.
What I like most are the characters and how they are written. I feel like I really made new friends, getting to know them through the story. All of them amazing,with their own quirks and psychological problems, but always doing their best for the well being of the whole group.
‘ is intriguing and gripping. I’ve had a lot of fun reading about the slow burn romance between Aiden and Kevin,while they also escape danger on numerous occasions,basically trying to stay alive when there’s no guarantee for a future. But the most amazing thing about the book is watching the Wildcards becoming once again the the strong, well oiled machine they used to be …the close knit family unit,ready to confront anything together.
Really recommended.
This story was tough to get into; it dragged and was a bit too detailed. I felt it stalled out a time or two, but I am SO GLAD that I persisted because the second half of this book really makes up for any negative feelings I was having at the beginning. This is an MM/transgender story and a slow burn. I liked that the development of the character was throughout the story not just at the beginning; I also really liked the fact that this was a developing story and will be continued in the next book.
The dystopian aspects of this story were interesting and really gave me thought. I liked that the characters were not your stereotypical characters and that they had depth and growth. I hope we get more of them in book two. I did feel like this story “dropped” me into the middle of a story and I would have liked a bit more history to better understand some of the rules and reasons in the future. If you can hold on this is a really nice book. I received an ARC and am leaving an honest review.
It isn’t difficult to see our world leading to this.
I often think about how we are lead by media. When first studying in college. I took a few basic psychology courses. Then some sociology. It horrified me to recognize the correlation between the two. Now many years later the manipulation of these sciences is easily seen. If one isn’t destracted by the programming.
It’s been a year of unique read, but this might trump them all. 🙂 I don’t think I’ve ever read cyberpunk before, well at least not a story like this one before, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
The writing is very good. The world created and the storyline and both very interesting and kept me turning the pages (scrolling actually, but that doesn’t sound good. :)). I was immersed in the story from the start and couldn’t put it down.
In the dystopian future, what was once the United States, there are now seven parts, each run by a different corporation. Aidan is set to the outpost, which is having a lot of issues and it is his job to pull them together and make them a team again. Each member of the team, including Aidan, has their own issues and secrets, I love all the little techy stuff in between. 🙂
Even though the story is a dystopia, set way into the future, it was somehow scary realistic. What I missed the most was a back story, how did it all come to this point and why.
As a side note, I love the title of the book and the series and the Reader Advisement at the beginning of the book. 🙂
received from author
This was a well written and thought provoking book. I enjoy reading cyberpunk novels and this one had a lot of good elements to it.
Aiden Hedley is a newly appointed Commander to the Jokers Wild squadron. This squad is full of (supposedly) misfit personnel who are constantly in trouble. After their beloved Commander dies from cancer, all other Commanders can’t seem to fit into the group or bring about the discipline they need.
The group has a lot of people with their own personal problems, but they are good at what they do. At first, Aiden doesn’t think he will be able to fit in and lead this varied group, but he soon finds himself enjoying the work.
I have to say that the book was a slow starter for me and was much different than I thought it would be. While it is a cyberpunk novel about a dystopian future, it was actually more of a romance than I expected. Since I am not a big fan of romance, especially those with a lot of fairly explicit sexual encounters, I was a little disappointed. If I had been reading a physical book, I would have probably skipped a lot of it. That’s hard to do with an audiobook, though.
The author handled the more delicate aspects of Aiden in a thoughtful way and I did find this insightful. I also enjoyed witnessing the characters’ growth as they began to reveal secrets and trust one another. Tweak was a great character and her coding antics added a bit of humor throughout the book. The book had enough humor and snark to keep it from becoming a downer. I also enjoyed the references to “old” movies and songs and will definitely check out the online playlist since I am a fan of that era of music.
The narrator did a great job with the different voices for the characters and his performance added a lot to the book. I was given the chance to listen to the audiobook version through Story Origins and I chose to review it.
I didn’t know what to expect when I started The Hands We’re Given, a cyberpunk novel by O. E. Tearmann.
The story was more intriguing and riveting than I could have imagined.
Tearmann explores a futuristic world set in the 22nd century, where corporations control everything. Our heroes attempt to survive on the outskirts of civilization as “Dusters,” rebels against the corporate overlords.
Aiden and Kevin, our two unlikely friends.
I don’t want to spoil too much about this story (and so much is easily spoiled), but at its core, it’s a profoundly human tale, dealing with real issues and internal conflicts paralleling fights of the present.
People have identities and realities which other people despise and hate.
When hate directs itself at a person, it tears them apart on the inside. Their mind breaks.
And Tearmann explores the raw emotional reality of people experiencing bigotry, all while placing them in a devastated world seeking a way forward.
I must warn readers: the story does include a few chapters of graphic sexual content. I don’t seek out those types of stories when I read SciFi and Fantasy, but in the context of this narrative, the scenes make a lot of sense. I didn’t feel like they were included just for the sake of having sex in the narrative. They’re meaningful and portray a powerful relationship formed over many chapters.
Overall, if you’re looking for a story that will push your boundaries and make you think about people through new eyes, I highly recommend The Hands We’re Given.
4.5 stars (rounded up to 5).
This epic series is set in a near-future where corporate, right-wing America has become it’s own behemoth of a political entity that controls most of the resources, with oppression and discrimination as standard. The remains of the more liberal, democratic population live in the cracks, fighting a war without end. It’s a grim, dystopian vision of hopelessness and despair.
Obviously our heroes are fighting against the corporations. They are an engaging collection of misfits…found family, getting along for better or for worse, working and living together. There’s excellent Queer rep in both the main couple, who’s relationship growth is the central part of the books, and in secondary characters.
If you like sci-fi, cyberpunk, queer romance, tension and socking it to the bad guys, I think you’ll like this.
I wasn’t sure I was going to like this book. The genre, and gender issues, wasn’t one I had explored before. I’ve been missing A LOT!
Future America is a scary place and I have to hope the U.S.A. in this story stays fiction. Corporations rule, people are divided into sects and resources are divided accordingly. Genetic manipulation is the norm. Not everyone just falls in line.
Welcome the Wildcards. A cog in the rebellion against the frightening world of corporate rule. I absolutely fell in love with this amazing group of people considered misfits, and some, even aberrations. The trials and danger they endure is easy to imagine. This author makes it all so simply believable.
There is a bonus playlist at the end of the book. Music is a character in this story so the playlist is wonderful. You need to checkout the amazing website, as well.
I can’t stop with book one of this series. I’m too emotionally invested. The Wildcards feel like my family now. I hope they would find me worthy!
The Hands We’re Given
(Aces High, Jokers Wild Book 1)
by O. E. Tearman
The Hands We’re Given is an extremely emotional story, with a surprisingly thrilling complexity of the realistic and in eerie details. A compelling and wonderful story comes alive with the realization that this story gives a sense of urgency given the unstable political climates which we are currently under. A personal story of redemption and acceptance of the trans-gender and gay, handled with Grace and dignity.
Unique and well-developed characters are not the ordinary in this series, includes a protagonist, and the inhabit of a rich dystopian that is conceivable for the future; beautifully presented by author O. E. Tearman through the characters.
I was gifted a copy of this book and these are my personal thoughts and feeling about the book and its author O. E. Tearman. Giving both 4-stars.
This book is not my normal type to read. It took me a few chapters to get into it but then I was hooked. It’s a look at live in 2155 and we have royally screwed up. The United States of America is not United anymore. It’s run by 7 Corporations. There are different levels for people from the elite to the poor workers. Then there are the Dusters living off the grid fighting the Corporations. Fighting to return the country to the people. This group of Dusters are based in Colorado. The Wildcards are a group who are struggling after loosing their Commander. They get a 3rd Commander, Aidan Headly, in 3 months. He is just fresh from training and is thrown in to the deep end of the shark pool that is the Wildcards. He has secrets, big secrets. His Logistics Officer, Kevin McIllian, has his own secrets. Big secrets. These two are attracted and we are treated to their slow romantic story. There are practical jokes, new and old lingo, great music, drama, suspense, romance and love. I can’t wait to read the next book.
Dystopian furturistic epic of the Wildcards, a military group of “misfits” that are determined to survive and bring the country back to what it was once. A part of the Democratic Force, they fight the controlling rule of the corporations and their class system. Great character development and a compelling story that draws you into the action so that you are cheering them on their missions, There is love story woven in but it mostly is about acceptance and friendship as this group is more like a family. This book will make you think. Great begnning and can’t wait to read more of the adventures of the Wildcards.
Thank you for the Audio, I voluntarily give this book an honest review.
Aiden is sent in as the new base commander, can base 1407 be turned around from the self destruction. One opposition is left the rag tag crew of wildcards. If he can get the four team members that is the most trying. Will the team listen to a transfluid? Can Aiden’ s past help him in his new assignment? Kirt Graves did a amazing job of with this book just loved how he brings each character to life, if you are looking for a action/romance then this is one book that is worth the read/listen. Can wait to hear more from the wild card crew.
This is a review for the Audio version of the book:
This is one of the best Dystopian novels I’ve listened to in a long time. The world building drew me in knee deep before I knew what hit me. The Characters had me laughing and crying, sometimes at the same time, and the plot line was intriguing and action packed. I want to say so much about this book and the characters I fell in love with, but don’t want to give away spoilers, so I’ll just give a small warning instead: if you don’t like LGBTQ in your Science Fiction don’t bother reading/listening to this. Though I will admit the sensitive way that aspect was woven into the story was the cherry on top of the Sundae that this book was for me. One other thing: The narrator was new to me but I loved the way he read the story and can’t wait to hear other books narrated by him.
4 out of 5 stars
The Wildcards are the unit that you go to when you need things done and have no worries on how it get done. Aiden Headly is the one who is in command of this ragtag crew , he really doesn’t want to be the commander . Can he get his team to come together and do the job that needs to be done so they can fight for a country that is worth living in .
The characters in this book are well written and very complex . Each member of the team has a mind set that is beneficial for the team. There is more to the characters then just the skills they have . Each member has a well not a secret but there is more to them then meets the eye. Aiden is a trans gender and Kevin is gay and grew up differently then the rest of the team . I truly loved how these characters come together and become the team that they are suppose to be .
The ideals of this dystopian tale are so real . The idea of having the perfect world and pushing those who don’t come up to the standards out to the outskirts . This story has it all . We have those who want to fight for the rights for all and those who want those that are different destroyed . I like that the author used LGBT characters and shone a light on those that are different . They are such good characters I was cheering for them all the way through their missions . The book has some great twists and turns that will keep you reading. This isn’t a love story but the author does mix a little bit of romance in . There were a few parts in the book that i felt that were slow but over all I truly enjoyed this book and was glad when I found it . So if you want a different story set in a futuristic dystopia book check it out and add it to your fall reading list
Loved the characters and the dystopian world they inhabited. Solid trans rep, that wasn’t just focused on being trans as a source of conflict. And the cyberpunk elements were well integrated and added awesome flavor to the story.