ARC Review: Night Betrayed

Night Betrayed
Joss Ware
Paranormal Romance/Futuristic/2060
Envy Chronicles/Book 4
Avon/January 25, 2011

From the author's website ~

The Change that devastated the earth didn't destroy Theo Waxnicki. It made him something more than human eternally young, eternally beautiful ... but not immortal.

When he dies on a mission against the Strangers, he is lost to the darkness...until a miracle lady brings him back.

Born during the apocalyptic storms and earthquakes that left the world in ruins, Selena has dedicated her life to easing the pain of others. But Theo is the first in her care to actually survive. Responding to Selena's tender touch, Theo starts to live again, to feel and desire again.

But joined in a world of terrors, the secrets they can never share make them targets. And love could be the ultimate betrayal.

I've said it in previous reviews, I love the world Joss Ware has created in her post-apocalyptic series. The romance on the other hand, generally came in second to the world. I was pleasantly surprised this time with both Theo and Selena. Theirs is a romance begun with chance and continued with mutual attraction and respect.

Theo is a wonderful hero who proves computer geeks can be sexy! The fact that he's also buff and has a wicked sense of humor doesn't hurt either. Theo was born before the Change and is nearly eighty years old but looks closer to thirty. You would think this would be an asset but Selena, who is fifty, gets hung up on the fact that she thinks Theo is much younger than her, and he doesn't come right out and correct her. Selena's harping on Theo's age got old after a while. In this dark world, consenting adults should take their pleasure where they can. Theo and Selena's relationship begins with Selena prepared to help Theo pass on to the next life. But he surprises her and survives. While Theo is recovering at Selena's settlement, he finds his curiosity aroused, among other things, as he gets to know Selena. He also finds more information on the Elite and the Cult of Atlantis.

Selena isn't sure why she is able to help the dying cross over to the next life but it's something that she feels compelled to do. But it's not only the humans she needs to help. Helping the creatures that come out at night puts Selena in danger but she takes the risk. She took this risk, knowing that other people counted on her and I have to question why she put it above her family and friends. Selena has a calm about her that I think draws Theo to her. She offers him compassion, warmth and companionship. I enjoyed seeing them get to know each other in this less than romantic setting. Selena spending many of her days with the dying and Theo is busy helping around the settlement and getting some computers working. Even with Theo and Selena being older, they still showed the wonder and awe of falling in love. Of realizing how important this person has become. They had some very hot, very romantic scenes. Which just proves there can be love and romance in a post-apocalyptic world.

The story may be centered around Theo and Selena but we do catch up with characters from previous books. Theo's brother Lou is very much involved in helping set up the computer network. He's brilliant when it comes to computers and being Theo's twin, they share a special bond. Lou is different from Theo in that Lou didn't stop aging the way Theo did. So they may be twins but Lou looks like a grandfather while Theo looks like a man in his prime. That doesn't stop them from acting like brothers.

Ian Marck is also around, stirring up trouble. He is a bounty hunter who had run ins with the Theo and his friends from Envy. I'm still not sure what side Marck is on. His side, I think. He's an intriguing characters and I hope we've not seen the last of him.

In addition to the character growth, the overall series arc continues to progress with some shocking revelations that change perceptions and give the remaining human population something else to fear. The more I read this series, the more I'm in awe of Ware's ability to not only create a fascinating world, but to be true to that worlds' canon. No one is safe. There isn't a magical wand to wave and make everything better.

Night Betrayed left me wanting more. More of the world of Envy. More of the people who are trying to make a life in a hostile world full of danger and the unknown.

Rating: A-

Links to my reviews of 1st three books in the series ~

Beyond the Night
Embrace the Night Eternal
Abandon the Night